In The Aftermath Of The Toxic Case, The Indonesian Ombudsman Asks SPPG To Have MBG Distribution Service Standards

The Indonesian Ombudsman Representative for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) asked the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) as the implementer of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) to implement public service standards in the distribution of MBG.

"The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as the controller of the SPPG has compiled service standards in the MBG Program, therefore the SPPG must apply services according to Law Number 25 of 2009 concerning public services," said Head of the NTT Ombudsman Darius Beda Daton in Kupang, Friday, responding to cases of children poisoned due to MBG consumption, confiscated by Antara.

Darius said the poisoning incident occurred in Kupang City, Kupang Regency, and Southwest Sumba Regency. Approximately five schools with a total of 75 students were treated for vomiting and diarrhea which led to weakness.

In the implementation of the distribution of MBG, SPPG and schools as beneficiaries of MBG were asked to comply as well as implement Presidential Decree No. 76 of 2013 concerning the Management of Public Service Complaints.

"This Presidential Decree is the basis for the need for complaint channels at the SPPG and schools levels to localize reports about MBG Program services and make it easier for all parties to submit complaints in order to evaluate the improvement of MBG Program services," said Darius.

Not only that with the poisoning incident in the last few days, the Ombudsman requested that the MBG Program coordinator in NTT be in synergy with surveillance stakeholders at the regional government level, starting from the Health Service, sub-districts, health centers, to the mass media.

This aims, he said, to monitor and ensure that the implementation of the MBG Program runs smoothly without complaints.

"Information disclosure related to the MBG processing kitchen. How the public accesses the kitchen, ensures that food processing is completely healthy and safe," said Darius.

In terms of quality, the Ombudsman requested that all kitchen service units strictly carry out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent incidents such as food poisoning.

Based on the results of coordination, BGN is currently targeting 30,000 SPPGs, consisting of 2,000 SPPGs sourced from the APBN and 28,000 SPPG from partners. As of April 2025, 1,300 SPPGs have been operating.