TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy of the Indonesian National Nutrition Body (BGN) for Systems and Governance, Prima Yosephine Berliana Tumiur Hutapea, stated that they will investigate the cause of the food poisoning case from the free nutritious meal (MBG) program at the Sendangrejo Public Elementary School in Blora.
She hopes that the results will improve the management of MBG in the future. "We will cooperate with our colleagues at the Ministry of Health and the health department officials located at the site of the MBG poisoning," said Prima during the press conference at the BGN Office, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 21, 2026.
A total of 19 students at the Sendangrejo Public Elementary School, Ngawen District, Blora Regency, were poisoned after consuming MBG on Monday, July 20, 2026. They were briefly hospitalized at the Emergency Installation of the Ngawen Public Health Center. "They have all returned home and are being monitored; there have been no recurring symptoms until today," said Blora Regent, Arief Rohman, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
According to him, the nutrition fulfillment service or SPPG that supplied MBG to SDN Sendangsari has temporarily ceased operations. "Starting today, SPPG Bogowanti is temporarily closed," he said.
The details of the students who experienced poisoning are as follows: three students from grade III, seven students from grade IV, eight students from grade V, and one student from grade VI. Based on a copy of the investigation report from the Blora Health Department, the SPPG was managed by the Mitra Cendikia Waskita Foundation. Thus far, the SPPG has distributed MBG to 2,341 recipients.
SPPG Bogowati served the MBG menu consisting of white rice; yellow-seasoned eggs; sauted beans, carrots, and sprouts; grapes; and packaged milk. The conclusion of the report suggests that the poisoning is suspected to be caused by consuming improperly stored milk.
Vice Chair of the IX Commission of the House of Representatives, Yahya Zaini, highlighted the ongoing cases of food poisoning among beneficiaries of the free government meals.
He stated that the continued occurrences of MBG food poisoning indicate the weak oversight of the National Nutrition Body (BGN) over SPPG, including the responsibilities and performance of SPPI in ensuring the quality of nutrition and food safety. "BGN should focus on quality, not just quantity," said Yahya on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Jamal Abdun Nashr and Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Indonesia's Free Meals Budget Could Shrink After Program Evaluation, Says BGN
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