September 19, 2025 | 05:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 657 students in Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia, have been affected by suspected mass food poisoning linked to the government’s free nutritious meal program (MBG).
“Currently, only 10 students remain hospitalized, down from 30 at the peak,” said Garut Health Office Head Leli Yuliani on Friday, September 19, 2025.
The poisoning cases spanned elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Students first reported nausea, vomiting, and dizziness on Tuesday, September 16. The following day, 30 required intensive care at the Kadungora Community Health Center.
Complaints emerged after students ate meals distributed by the Al Bayyinah 2 Garut Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), located in Karangmulya Village, Kadungora District. The menu included white rice, woku chicken, stir-fried tempeh, raw vegetables, and strawberries.
Food samples have been sent to the West Java provincial laboratory, with results expected in five days. “Since Wednesday, medical teams have been stationed at schools to treat and monitor students. Those with mild symptoms received standard medication, while we continue to monitor their condition,” Leli said.
Local authorities are coordinating with the MBG task force. Regent Abdusy Syakur Amin has also issued a circular requiring all kitchens to undergo food safety training. “Not all MBG kitchens have reported food safety certification, including the one in Kadungora currently under investigation,” Leli added.
Garut Police confirmed they are investigating the case. Officers have visited the affected locations, documented victims, interviewed witnesses, and collected food and vomit samples for lab testing.
“We are conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the cause, including laboratory tests on the food samples, and further steps are ongoing,” said Garut Police spokesperson Ipda Adi Susilo in a written statement.
Editor’s Choice: 5,000 Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Indonesia Suspected to Be Fictitious
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
5,000 Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Indonesia Suspected to Be Fictitious
2 jam lalu
A member of the House of Representatives revealed that there are thousands of free nutritious meal kitchens suspected to be fictitious.
JPPI Data: 5,360 Students Have Suffered Food Poisoning from State Free Meals
6 jam lalu
JPPI views the findings as evidence of the failure of the free nutritious meal governance controlled by the National Nutrition Body (BGN).
Education Watchdog Urges Prabowo to Halt Free Meal Program After Mass Food Poisoning
7 jam lalu
Pressure mounts following the surge in mass poisoning cases suspected to originate from the free nutritious meal program.
West Java's Depok Shell Stations Run Dry on Fuel, Employees Sell Coffee Instead
23 jam lalu
Shell stations across Depok have been without V-Power and Super fuel since September 14, forcing employees to sell only coffee to customers.
Indonesia's BGN Attributes Free Meals Poisoning in Banggai Islands to Raw Materials
1 hari lalu
251 students in the Banggai Islands Regency of Central Sulawesi were poisoned after eating a free nutritious meal.
Police: Poverty and Discontent Fuel Anarchist Group Behind West Java Protests
1 hari lalu
West Java Police Chief Rudi Setiawan said the anarchist group has not yet reached a radical stage but has already gained sympathizers among students.
The Command Economics of the New Finance Minister
1 hari lalu
Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa came with high confidence on growth targets. Fiscal discipline is under threat.
978 Students Hospitalized in One Month from Poisoning in Prabowo's MBG Program
1 hari lalu
Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana said they aim for zero incidents of food poisoning in the free nutritious meal (MBG) program.
Bandung Hotels Record West Java's Highest Occupancy Despite Revenue Challenges
1 hari lalu
Occupancy rates at hotels in Bandung are recorded as the highest in West Java, averaging 50 percent. However, PHRI mentioned that revenue has decreased due to the MICE sector not yet fully recovering post-pandemic.
251 Indonesian Students in Banggai Suspected of Food Poisoning from Free Meals
1 hari lalu
This mass poisoning is suspected to have originated from processed skipjack tuna on the free meals menu on Wednesday afternoon.
