BGN Sacks Jayapura MBG Kitchen Chief After Suspected Food Poisoning

August 6, 2026 | 06:35 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has dismissed the head of a local Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) service unit following a suspected food poisoning incident involving students in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua.

"We have removed the head of the unit," BGN chief Sudaryono told reporters after a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday.

BGN Cites Food Preparation Timing

Sudaryono said BGN had deployed an investigation team, which found that meals at the local Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) were prepared too early, resulting in an excessively long interval between cooking and distribution.

"Based on our system and the timeline we have gathered, cooking began around 7 p.m. the previous evening, but the meals were only served to students at around 11 a.m. the next day," he said.

He added that preliminary findings also indicated some meals may already have spoiled before being distributed. Investigators are also verifying reports that some students took the meals home before consuming them.

Patients Recovering

The suspected food poisoning occurred on Wednesday morning after students in Depapre District reportedly consumed meals provided under the government's flagship nutrition program.

Health authorities said eight patients who were treated at Jayapura General Hospital have shown gradual improvement, with one patient already discharged.

New Cases Declining

Acting Papua Health Agency head Dr. Beeri Wopari said the response had entered its third day with encouraging progress.

According to Wopari, epidemiological monitoring shows that the number of new suspected cases has continued to decline, while most patients still receiving treatment are recovering.

"Acute cases have dropped significantly compared with the first and second days. The number of new cases has also fallen sharply, and as of this afternoon, no additional cases have been reported," he said.

The investigation comes as the MBG program faces increased scrutiny following a series of suspected food poisoning incidents reported in several regions across Indonesia in recent weeks.

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