BPOM Reveals 3 Causes Of Free Nutrition Food Toxics

Illustration - Officers arranged cooking utensils after the inauguration of the kitchen of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Panongan, Tangerang Regency, Banten, Wednesday (14/5/2025). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Men M. Akbar/nym.

JAKARTA - The Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) said 3 causes of poisoning in the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program, namely contamination, growth and development of bacteria, as well as failure to control food safety, were evaluated materials for the improvement of the program.

The Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar said that his party identified 17 extraordinary incidents (KLB) of poisoning related to the program, and the cases were spread across 10 provinces.

"And with this context, visible contamination, namely there is initial food contamination with sources of contamination of raw materials, processing/guarantor environment," said Taruna as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 15.

As for the growth and development of bacteria, he said, it was caused by temperature and time, food conditions, and processing processes. He gave an example, there are foods cooked too quickly so that they are distributed late, so that children who eat them are poisoned.

"Then there are things that we really need to pay attention to about the failure to control food safety, which is related to hygiene. Now we need to explain this because some of the kitchens may need to be evaluated, needs to be improved," said Taruna.

The three causes of poisoning show a number of issues that can be corrected, namely incomplete epidemiological data, incompatibility of test parameters, unspecific test parameters, implementation of Good Processed Food Production Methods (CPPOB) that have not been optimal, and guarantee of the safety of raw materials.

"With the context of learning from this condition, the Drug Supervisory Agency is committed to further strengthening our cooperation with the Nutrition Agency (National) in order to prevent extraordinary events that can occur in the future," said Taruna.

His party is committed to providing assistance to officers who are specifically related to the kitchens that prepare the MBG.

The cadets also hope that BPOM will be involved by the BGN National Nutrition Agency in monitoring the preparation of food served in the MBG program. The cadets revealed that BPOM was only involved when the KLB occurred.

"Because that is the reality. So we mean to explain transparently as it is, in order to inspire the Nutrition Agency to involve us," he said.