Head Of BGN: The Cause Of Poisoning At SMPN 8 Kupang Is Not Because Of MBG

Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana while visiting ANTARA Heritage Center Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (30/7/2025). ANTARA/Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari.

JAKARTA - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana conveyed that the cause of poisoning at SMPN 8 Kota KupangNusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) was not from the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) menu.

This is confirmed through checking at the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

Dadan explained the chronology of the poisoning incident. On Monday (21/7), BGN distributed food to eight schools, including SMPN 8 Kupang.

Nine students were rushed to the hospital. BGN immediately responded by temporarily stopping the distribution of MBG from Tuesday (22/7).

"Well, this afternoon we received news from SMPN 8 Kupang, that there were 15 children who were poisoned, but it needs to be known, from July 22, we have stopped MBG for SMPN 8. So (the poisoned student) is impossible from MBG, so the cause of poisoning is finally we can find out that it is not from the MBG menu," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 30.

He explained that on Tuesday (22/7) MBG was still distributed to seven other schools in Kupang, and from these schools, none of the students were poisoned.

"Then we also always keep the sample for three days on the SPPG, checked by BPOM whether it is from MBG sources or not, it turns out not, but I also don't know if it comes from other food sources or what," he said.

Dadan emphasized that BGN's target for MBG was zero poisoning incidents, therefore, every time there was a report, BGN immediately followed up by temporarily stopping the distribution of MBG at the scene.

In addition, BGN also ensures that there is an increase in standard operating procedures (SOPs) starting from purchasing raw materials, shortening processing and serving so that food reaches students a maximum of 30 minutes after being prepared from the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

"Our target is kanzero accident, because every time someone is sick, parents are worried, then if the children are hurt, there is public trust that is scratched, therefore we increase the SOP," he explained.

Earlier on Tuesday (22/7) last week, hundreds of SMPN 8 school children in Kupang City experienced vomiting, severe stomach pain and weakness. They are thought to be in pain after consuming MBG at their school on Monday (21/7) morning.

The City Government (Pemkot) of Kupang, NTT, has ensured optimal medical treatment for 140 students of SMPN 8 Kupang who have health problems due to suspected food poisoning of the MBG Program.

The most important thing right now is the safety of our children. Don't be busy looking for who's wrong, who's right, while the children are in need of medical help. They need IVs, they need stabilization. That's the most important thing right now," said Kupang Mayor Christian Widodo.