September 25, 2025 | 06:30 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Juri Ardiantoro has addressed the demands of several civil organizations to temporarily suspend the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. These organizations are calling for a halt following an increase in food poisoning cases linked to the program in various regions.
According to Juri, the government has acknowledged public concerns regarding the temporary cessation and full evaluation of the program. He stated that while the government is working to resolve the food poisoning issue, it will not completely stop President Prabowo's flagship initiative.
"We will improve it going forward, but there's no need to stop it completely," Juri said at the State Secretariat Building in Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Juri also mentioned that the government would address, evaluate, and find solutions to these issues to ensure the FNB program remains vital to the community. He quoted President Prabowo Subianto, who said the program "must truly be a program needed by the children."
Juri further responded to the West Bandung Regency Government's declaration of a mass food poisoning incident as an Extraordinary Incident (KLB). While the government does not expect such cases to occur, Juri claimed that they have taken quick action to address the problem. However, he stopped short of specifying the steps taken.
"The most important thing is to save this good program," he said. He emphasized that the government does not want the MBG program to be demoralized by these food poisoning cases and will "definitely find a way to address this unexpected incident."
Data and Causes of Food Poisoning
The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) has reported that as many as 5,360 people have been affected by food poisoning from the MBG program. JPPI has urged President Prabowo Subianto and the National Nutrition Agency to temporarily suspend the program.
Meanwhile, three government agencies, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the Ministry of Health, and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), have differing data, though they all report a total of approximately 5,000 victims.
Presidential Chief of Staff M. Qodari identified four primary causes for the food poisoning cases: poor food hygiene, non-compliance with food temperature and processing standards, cross-contamination by staff, and potential allergic reactions in some beneficiaries.
Qodari noted that several agencies are working to address these issues. For example, the Ministry of Health is strengthening its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to the Ministry, 413 of the 1,379 Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPGs) already have Food Safety SOPs, and an additional 312 SPPGs implemented them in September 2025.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's BGN Suspects Allergies Behind Free Nutritious Meal Poisoning
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