Teacher recounts irregularities regarding the free nutritious meal (MBG) menu, suspected of causing food poisoning at an elementary school in Cimahi

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIMAHI – Erika Tika Sari, a teacher at SDN Karangmekar Mandiri 1, Cimahi City, West Java, lay weakly in bed at the Emergency Unit of Cibabat Hospital on Wednesday evening (25/2/2026). A needle and an IV drip were attached to the back of her hand.

She complained of symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) distributed from one of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in Cimahi City. Erika and dozens of students in several schools in the Cimahi Tengah sub-district, Cimahi City, are suspected of suffering from food poisoning.

Erika recounted that the MBG menu, which this time consisted of chicken onigiri, boiled eggs, dates, milk, and apples, was distributed on Wednesday (25/2/2026) morning. Because she was not fasting, she ate it after school.

“I ate half of it after school, and I wasn’t fasting. I only ate the onigiri, but I didn’t finish it because it smelled burnt,” said Erika.

However, at around 3:30 p.m., Erika felt nauseous, vomited, and felt dizzy after waking up. At first, she thought it was just a common cold. “Then I saw a WhatsApp message saying that there was food poisoning after eating the MBG. So, I must have been poisoned too. At first, I just thought it was a cold,” she said.

Erika was immediately taken to the Emergency Unit of Cibabat Hospital for treatment. Her condition is now gradually improving. “Now, thank God, I’m feeling better. Hopefully, I can go home soon. Earlier this afternoon, I felt very nauseous, and I kept wanting to vomit,” said Erika.

Meanwhile, the head of SDN Cimahi Mandiri 4, Eka Nugrahawati, revealed that she had noticed a bad smell from the food distributed to students and teachers. She admitted that she chose not to consume the MBG portion.

“Indeed, when I smelled it, it already smelled bad. So, I didn’t eat my portion; I just kept it at school. I said, ‘This smells bad,’ so I just kept it. But it smelled sour since this morning, especially the onigiri,” she said when met by reporters at Cibabat Hospital.