MBG Toxic Case Soars, Zulhas Reminds: Don't Consider It Just Statistics

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan. (ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) emphasized that the poisoning incident that occurred in the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) should not be considered only statistical figures.

"This is not just a number, but concerns the safety of the next generation," he said at a press conference at the Ministry of Health, Jakarta, Sunday, September 28.

Zulhas, Zulkifli's nickname, emphasized that the safety of children as the next generation is the government's top priority. He said President Prabowo Subianto also paid serious attention to the MBG poisoning case.

Furthermore, Zulhas said that President Prabowo Subianto's instructions were followed up with a coordinator meeting of a number of ministries/agencies today.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Minister of PPPA Arifah Fauzi.

Apart from the ministers, there were also a number of institutional leaders, including the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana, the Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar, the Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Muhammad Qodari, and representatives of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).

"This afternoon, on the instructions of the president, we have a coordination meeting with ministries/agencies. So how serious is the President's attention to this issue," he said.

As previously reported, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, reported that from January 6 to July 31, 2025, Dadan continued, 2,391 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) were formed with 24 incidents. Meanwhile, from August 1 to September 27, 2025, 7,244 SPPG increased with 47 incidents.

The number of SPPGs that have been operating to date has reached 9,615 units and has served approximately 31 million recipients.

"Data shows that many cases have been experienced by SPPG which is just operating because human resources still need flying hours," said Dadan in an official statement, Sunday, September 28.

Dadan also revealed other factors that triggered the incident, namely the quality of raw materials, water conditions, and violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).