September 10, 2026 | 01:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pati regency administration in Central Java has declared a suspected food poisoning case involving Indonesia’s free nutritious meal program (MBG) an extraordinary event after hundreds of students and teachers reported nausea and diarrhea.
The cases were reported at two schools in Gembong District, with 103 students and 13 teachers affected at Gembong 1 Public Junior High School and 127 students and 30 teachers at Pati 3 State Islamic Junior High School.
Acting Pati Regent Risma Ardhi Chandra said the KLB designation was made to allow the local government to provide maximum assistance to those affected.
"Because it concerns the safety of the victims. The case has been classified as an extraordinary event," Chandra said in an official statement on the Pati administration’s website on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Students Develop Symptoms After Free Meals
According to Pati Health Agency Head Luky Pratugas Narimo, the students ate a free meal consisting of nasi bakar, or grilled rice, which was distributed on Tuesday afternoon, September 8.
The symptoms, including nausea and diarrhea, began the following day while the students were at school.
A total of 236 people had reported symptoms as of Wednesday, according to Luky.
The affected students and teachers were taken to Gembong Community Health Center for treatment. Some were later transferred to RAA Soewondo Regional General Hospital in Pati after the health center ran out of space.
"Their health conditions can be handled properly. Some are still under observation at the hospital and some have already been discharged," Luky said.
By early Thursday, around 45 children from the two schools were still hospitalized at Soewondo Hospital and Mitra Bangsa Hospital, according to the Pati administration. The government said the number of affected people was still being verified and updated.
Government Investigates Cause
Chandra said emergency spending could be used to cover treatment because the case involved the safety of the victims. He also assured that the Pati administration would cover all medical expenses.
The local government is coordinating with the Health Agency and health facilities, as well as school officials, the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“We continue to lead the response by coordinating directly with the relevant parties,” Chandra said.
The administration is also continuing to verify the number of victims and overseeing an investigation to determine the cause based on official examination results.
Health workers have been deployed to visit affected students at their homes, while the local government continues to coordinate with school principals, nurses and hospitals.
Tempo sought a response from BGN Deputy for Monitoring and Supervision Ketut Sumedana regarding the suspected MBG food poisoning in Pati. On Thursday, Ketut declined to comment and directed Tempo to BGN’s leadership for a response.
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