Ministry Of Health Provides Hotline For Complaints On Cases Of Toxics Of The MBG Program

Hotline poisoning MBG from the Ministry of Health. (Instagram/@kemenkes_ri)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is taking quick steps by opening a complaint hotline service related to the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program. This policy was taken as a follow-up to a number of public reports regarding suspected poisoning cases that arose in several areas.

Through this facility, people who feel symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or shortness of breath after eating food from the MBG program can immediately report it. The complaint channel can be accessed via call center 119 or WhatsApp at number 087777591097.

"Mual, vomiting, dizziness, or shortness of breath after consuming MBG? Don't wait for it to get worse. Immediately call 911 or come to the nearest health center to get quick treatment." wrote the Ministry of Health via Instagram upload @kemenkes_ri.

According to the Ministry of Health, every public report that comes in will be immediately followed up by the Public Safety Center (PSC) team in the local area. This team is tasked with providing quick treatment of suspected poisoning that may occur in the field.

In addition to opening complaints, the government has also tightened supervision of kitchens and food providers that are part of the MBG program throughout Indonesia. The monitoring process is focused on the cleanliness aspect of food processing facilities, sanitation systems, to the selection of safe and quality foodstuffs.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that the monitoring system will be strengthened through the implementation of report standardization, food safety certification, and a layered monitoring mechanism.

In its implementation, the Ministry of Health cooperates with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to form an integrated certification system. This system is expected to be able to ensure that all food distributed in the MBG program is safe for consumption and in accordance with national nutritional standards. The government is also preparing a process of accelerating certification so as not to hinder food distribution to various regions.

The case of suspected poisoning that occurred after the consumption of the Free Nutrition Food program menu is now a public concern. Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana reported that since the launch of the program in January 2025, 6,517 residents have reportedly been poisoned in a number of areas.