Mass Poisoning Hits Free Meals Again: 219 Sick in Batang - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended operations at the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Bawang, Batang Regency, Central Java, following a mass food poisoning incident linked to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. As of Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 3:00 a.m. WIB, a total of 219 people were recorded suffering from food poisoning.
BGN Deputy for Monitoring and Supervision Ketut Sumedana confirmed that among the affected individuals, 132 are hospitalized in inpatient care, while 87 are receiving outpatient treatment across seven regional health facilities. "A number of the affected beneficiaries have received proper medical treatment, and their conditions are being continuously monitored," Ketut said on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
BGN noted that patient data is still being updated as field teams coordinate and process incoming registrations. As a corrective measure, the agency placed the SPPG under severe administrative suspension and relieved its operational head of duty. BGN is also launching a joint investigation alongside the Batang Regency Health Office to determine the root cause.
Ketut noted that the decision followed preliminary findings of alleged standard operating procedure (SOP) violations inside the facility's kitchen, particularly regarding food preparation timelines.
"Based on initial examinations, several instances of SOP non-compliance were uncovered, including the early processing of eggs at 7:30 p.m. WIB, followed by reheating at 2:30 a.m. WIB," Ketut explained.
In addition to improper food processing timelines, BGN inspectors uncovered sanitation concerns in specific areas of the facility. However, Ketut emphasized that these findings remain subject to ongoing inquiry and cannot yet be conclusively cited as the cause of the outbreak.
"We are currently tracing the entire process, from raw material reception, processing, and storage, to portioning and distribution," he said.
Moreover, investigators noted that several recipients took their assigned meals home, which is a direct violation of MBG program guidelines prohibiting off-site consumption.
Despite these initial concerns, BGN emphasized that it will refrain from drawing official conclusions until the comprehensive evaluation ends. "We do not wish to speculate on the cause of the incident before the full evaluation is complete. Everything must be grounded in facts and investigation results," Ketut said.
BGN is collaborating with the Batang Regency Administration, local healthcare facilities, and the regional MBG Task Force to treat affected residents and conduct the probe.
Ultimately, the investigation's final report will dictate disciplinary and administrative actions against the Bawang unit, with BGN promising strict regulatory enforcement if safety violations are verified.
"This incident is a serious concern for BGN. We will ensure the response process is carried through to completion and use the investigation results to drive operational improvements," Ketut concluded.
