BGN Stops SPPG Operations In NTT Impact Of MBG Toxic Case Incident

Special Staff to the Head of BGN, Redy Hendra Gunawan conveyed his Weekly Update on the MBG Program. (Photo: Capture of Youtube mourns of the National Nutrition Agency)

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) apologized for the poisoning incident that occurred in the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Responding to the incident, BGN took firm steps by temporarily stopping the operation of the related Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

This statement was conveyed by the Special Staff of the Head of BGN, Redy Hendra Gunawan in the Weekly Update on Acceleration and Evaluation of the MBG Program which was broadcast online, Tuesday, July 29.

"We have followed up on several complaints regarding the implementation of Free Nutrition Food. Some time, especially the incident that occurred in NTT, the National Nutrition Agency has taken firm steps by stopping the related SPPG operations," he quoted him as saying on the Youtube channel of the National Nutrition Agency.

The investigation, he continued, was carried out thoroughly in collaboration with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), the Health Service, and independent institutions.

BGN ensures that all investigative results will be used as material for evaluation and improvement of program implementation in the future. Redy added that coordination with local governments also continues to be carried out intensively to ensure that incident management runs quickly and effectively.

"The National Nutrition Agency does not tolerate negligence in terms of SPPG management which is certainly very dangerous for the health of beneficiaries. Coordination with local governments has also been carried out regularly for the sake of handling incidents. And today, all parties are moving quickly in terms of overcoming the incident," he said.

BGN also refers to Government Regulation (PP) Number 86 concerning Food Safety in dealing with situations categorized as extraordinary events.

"Based on PP 86 related to food security, BGN has also carried out countermeasures related to extraordinary incidents so that all parties are involved in the settlement and response of incidents that occurred in NTT," he explained.

"We will use this as material for improvement in the future. Of course, all inputs, all criticisms, all reports from the public that we really need for future improvements," added Redy.

This poisoning incident occurred on Tuesday, July 23, hundreds of SMP Negeri 8 school children in Kupang City experienced nausea, vomiting, accompanied by severe stomach pain, causing lubricant.

It is suspected that it was due to consuming MBG which was distributed on Monday, July 22.