January 13, 2026 | 09:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Educational Monitoring Network (JPPI) recorded 1,242 people becoming victims of poisoning from free nutritious meals (MBG) throughout January 2026. Cumulatively, JPPI stated that the total poisoning victims of MBG from 2025 to early 2026 reached 21,254 individuals.
The data was presented by the National Coordinator of JPPI, Ubaid Matraji, responding to the recurring cases of MBG poisoning in various regions earlier this year. Ubaid viewed the series of poisoning incidents as a serious warning to the government regarding the implementation of the MBG program.
According to him, the high number of victims suggests that the program is being carried out hastily and without adequate food safety standards. "This is a danger sign proving that the MBG program is still being rushed without clear food safety standards," said Ubaid when contacted on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
He questioned whether the state was committed to protecting children's safety through this program. Ubaid emphasized that JPPI demands the government to stop implementing the MBG practice that poses risks to student safety.
"How can a state program become a threat to students' lives? We demand the government to stop making children sacrificial lambs of careless projects without clear food safety and child protection," he stated.
Previously, a total of 50 people were confirmed to have suffered poisoning after consuming free nutritious meals (MBG) in Majene Regency, West Sulawesi. Based on data from the Surveillance Team of the West Sulawesi Provincial Health Office of Population and Family Planning, currently, 40 people are still being treated at local health centers.
The local surveillance team and health office stated that the average poisoning victims are toddlers. It has not been confirmed whether there are any pregnant women among the 50 poisoning victims. "We are still rechecking for validation," they said.
In other areas, the Central Java Provincial Government also released the latest data on the number of MBG poisoning victims. According to a report from the Grobogan District Health Office until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 06.00 AM, there were 803 MBG poisoning victims. Of the 803 people who were infected, about 688 have recovered, while the remaining 115 are still being treated.
The Secretary of the Central Java Regional Secretariat, Sumarno, stated that the Central Java Provincial Health Office is still investigating the suspected cause of the poisoning. "Assessing the detailed cause," he said on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Sumarno mentioned that the evaluation focuses on food processing time and hygiene standard application. The Central Java Provincial Health Office is currently coordinating with the National Nutrition Agency.
Jamal Abdun Nashr contributed to this article
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