A food poisoning incident has affected over 70 teachers and students in East Jakarta, linked to the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) Free Nutritious Meals program. The BGN has confirmed the outbreak and committed to covering all medical expenses for those affected.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, BGN Deputy Head for Public Communication and Investigations, announced on Saturday that immediate measures had been taken. These include the indefinite suspension of the SPPG kitchen in Pondok Kelapa, which was responsible for preparing the meals. The agency apologized for the incident.
The suspension of the facility was due to “substandard conditions,” according to Deyang, specifically citing the absence of a proper wastewater treatment system. This proactive step aims to prevent any recurrence.
Reports of the incident emerged on Friday, April 3, after participants experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. These symptoms followed the consumption of meals distributed the previous day. The menu provided included spaghetti Bolognese, meatballs, scrambled eggs, tofu, mixed vegetables, and strawberries.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the food may not have been maintained at optimal conditions. Deyang indicated that a significant delay between the cooking and distribution of the meals likely compromised food quality and increased health risks.
The BGN stated it would reinforce supervision and ensure stringent adherence to food safety standards across all kitchens participating in its program. The agency views this incident as a critical evaluation point to enhance operational procedures moving forward.
Separately, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung confirmed that 72 individuals were receiving treatment across three hospitals in the area. He noted that the affected teachers and students had consumed meals distributed to four educational institutions, comprising one senior high school and three elementary schools. The Jakarta administration plans to work closely with the BGN and health facilities to ensure comprehensive treatment and ongoing monitoring for all patients.
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