Prabowo Pledges Evaluation of Free Nutritious Meal Program After Food Poisoning Cases
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to evaluate Indonesia’s free nutritious meal program after multiple cases of food poisoning were reported among schoolchildren across the country.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, speaking on behalf of the government at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, Sept 19, 2025, offered an apology and stressed that the incidents were unintentional. “On behalf of the government and the National Nutrition Agency, we apologize for the repeated cases in several regions. These were not deliberate and certainly not what we wanted,” said Prasetyo, who also serves as spokesperson for the president.
He confirmed that Prabowo had instructed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to coordinate with local governments and relevant stakeholders to conduct a full evaluation of the program, which is known as MBG.
“The priority is to ensure all those affected receive the best and fastest medical treatment. At the same time, we must carry out a comprehensive evaluation, including corrective measures, to prevent such problems from happening again,” Prasetyo said.
As part of the review, the government will investigate reports of fictitious kitchens under the so-called Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG), or nutritional service units. “We will check these alleged fictitious kitchens with the BGN,” Prasetyo added.
He also responded to a proposal from the House of Representatives suggesting cash transfers to parents as an alternative to meals. According to him, the government has taken note of the idea but remains committed to the current meal-based system. “Ideas have always existed, but the government and the BGN consider the current concept to be the best approach for now,” he said.
The state secretary further emphasized that sanctions would be imposed on SPPG operators found violating standard operating procedures. “Sanctions will be enforced, but we will ensure they do not disrupt the program’s operations or prevent beneficiaries from receiving meals,” he explained.
Recent incidents highlighted the urgency of the review. In Lebong, Bengkulu, 539 students and teachers suffered food poisoning after eating MBG meals at the end of August. Similar cases were reported in Baubau, Southeast Sulawesi, where 37 students fell ill, and in Lamongan, East Java, where several students were hospitalized on Wednesday, Sept 17.
The same day, hundreds of students in Banggai Kepulauan, Central Sulawesi, reported symptoms after consuming tuna dishes provided under the program. Additional cases were reported on Friday, Sept 19, in Yogyakarta and Garut, West Java, with students suffering nausea and dizziness.
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