BGN Assures Public of Responsibility Over Alleged MBG Poisoning Incident in West Java

INDONESIAUPDATES.COM, News En – Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), has responded to public concerns regarding a recent poisoning incident allegedly caused by the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in West Java. The incident affected several school children in the region and has sparked a public outcry.

In a press statement released on Saturday, Dadan urged the public to remain calm and assured them that BGN would take full responsibility for the incident while awaiting the official results of the investigation. “We urge all parties to remain calm and wait for the official results of the investigation. BGN will continue to convey information openly and responsibly,” Dadan said.

The National Nutrition Agency has vowed to take corrective and preventive measures to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. Dadan explained that BGN would tighten food distribution procedures, particularly focusing on safety protocols during the delivery process from the kitchen to the schools. He added that a maximum delivery time limit would be implemented to maintain food quality.

As part of the new measures, BGN will also require organoleptic tests (appearance, aroma, taste, and texture tests) to be conducted on all meals before they are distributed to students. Dadan acknowledged the West Java incident as an important lesson for all stakeholders involved in the MBG program and promised a comprehensive evaluation of the program’s implementation.

“A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted soon to ensure food security in this program going forward,” he said. “BGN is committed to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the MBG program remains a safe, healthy, and beneficial nutritional solution for Indonesian children.”

ICW Calls for Immediate Halt of MBG Program Due to Multiple Alleged Issues

The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has called on President Prabowo Subianto to immediately halt the MBG program, citing several serious issues that could undermine the program’s integrity. ICW revealed various allegations including mismanagement of funds, food quality issues, and a problematic recruitment process.

ICW’s report highlighted several key concerns:

Alleged Fraud in Budget Management: ICW found indications of financial mismanagement, including claims from a kitchen partner in Kalibata, South Jakarta, who lost almost IDR 1 billion after not receiving payment for cooking over 65,000 meals.
Budget Distribution Violations: The organization also raised concerns about the distribution model, claiming that funds were being funneled through third parties, violating regulations and opening up opportunities for corruption.
Inequality in Food Quality: ICW reported disparities in food quality and distribution across schools, citing issues like unfit-for-consumption food and poor-quality utensils.
SPPI Recruitment Process: The group also criticized the transparency of the recruitment process for Indonesian Development Driving Bachelors (SPPI), alleging intervention and irregularities in the selection process.

Given these concerns, ICW has urged President Prabowo to take decisive action by stopping the MBG program and launching a thorough investigation.

Mass Poisoning Incident in Cianjur Raises Alarm

The MBG program was further scrutinized after dozens of students from two schools in Cianjur, West Java, experienced mass poisoning symptoms allegedly caused by the meals provided through the program. On April 21, 2025, students from MAN 1 Cianjur and SMP PGRI 1 Cianjur exhibited symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, leading to their hospitalization. A total of 35 students were admitted to Sayang Cianjur Regional Hospital.

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, has called for a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Health to identify the source of the poisoning. He stressed that the Ministry should inspect the food production kitchens and the delivery process to trace the origin of the contamination.

Dadan Hindayana, in his statement, acknowledged the incident as a critical moment for the MBG program and reiterated BGN’s commitment to transparency and ensuring food safety moving forward.

The MBG program is under intense scrutiny due to allegations of mismanagement, food safety violations, and the recent poisoning incident. While BGN assures the public of its responsibility and commitment to improving the program, ICW calls for an immediate halt to address the problems. The investigation into the Cianjur poisoning incident is ongoing, and further evaluations of the MBG program are expected in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program and Alleged Poisoning Incident

What is the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program?
The MBG program is an initiative by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) designed to provide free nutritious meals to schoolchildren across Indonesia. The aim is to improve children’s nutrition and support their overall well-being.
What happened in the recent poisoning incident in West Java?
On April 21, 2025, dozens of students from two schools in Cianjur, West Java, experienced symptoms of food poisoning after consuming meals provided through the MBG program. The students exhibited symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting and were hospitalized.
What is BGN’s response to the poisoning incident?
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana has called for the public to remain calm and assured that BGN will take responsibility for the incident. He emphasized that BGN is cooperating with investigations and will adopt tighter safety protocols for food distribution to prevent future issues.
What corrective measures is BGN taking in response to the incident?
BGN plans to tighten food distribution procedures, especially regarding safety protocols during the delivery process. They will limit the maximum time food can be delivered before it needs to be consumed and will require organoleptic tests (appearance, aroma, taste, and texture) to be conducted on the meals before distribution.
What are the concerns raised by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) about the MBG program?
ICW has raised several issues with the MBG program, including:
- Allegations of fraud in budget management and misallocation of funds.
- Poor food quality and discrepancies in service standards across schools.
- Issues with the recruitment process for Indonesian Development Driving Bachelors (SPPI), including lack of transparency and potential military involvement.
  ICW has called for the immediate halting of the MBG program.
What action has ICW called for regarding the MBG program?
ICW has urged President Prabowo Subianto to immediately stop the MBG program due to concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and food safety. They believe the program has deviated from its original goal of improving children’s nutrition and welfare.
What is being done to investigate the poisoning incident?
The Ministry of Health has been called upon to investigate the source of the poisoning, including checking the MBG production kitchens and the food delivery process. The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, has requested that the Ministry ensure a quick investigation to reassure the public.
What is BGN’s plan for future evaluations of the MBG program?
Dadan Hindayana confirmed that a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted soon to ensure the quality and safety of food provided through the MBG program. BGN is committed to improving the program and maintaining public trust.
How is BGN addressing public concerns about food safety?
BGN is implementing stricter safety protocols, including more stringent food distribution procedures, testing, and monitoring to ensure that food quality is maintained throughout the process. They are committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Will the MBG program continue despite these issues?
While the investigation continues, BGN has assured the public that it is committed to making improvements and ensuring the program remains a safe and healthy solution for schoolchildren’s nutrition. However, ICW has called for an immediate halt to the program to address its various issues.