New Facts About The Toxic Case Of West Bandung MBG, Water Quality Is Not The Cause

Illustration: Officers clean sinks to wash food routes or free nutritious dishes (MBG) in the kitchen of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) Antapani Kulon, Bandung, West Java, Friday (10/10/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The case of mass poisoning of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program in West Bandung Regency, West Java, had raised public concerns about food safety and water quality used in the cooking process in a number of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).

The incident, which occurred from September to October 2025, caused hundreds of students to experience symptoms of poisoning after eating food from the program.

However, the results of the latest investigation by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) show that the cause of poisoning does not come from the water quality used in food processing in six SPPGs in West Bandung.

"The results of our findings in the field which were confirmed from the results of laboratory tests showed that the water used in the six Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in West Bandung had met the requirements," said Head of the BGN Independent Investigation Team, Arie Karimah Muhammad, in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday.

The examination was carried out through physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis of the water used in six locations, namely SPPG Cipongkor Cijambu, Cipongkor Neglasari, Cisarua Jambudipa, Cisarua Pasirlangu, Lembang Kayu Ambon, and Lembang Cibodas 2.

Based on the results of a test from the Public Health Laboratory (Labkesmas) of West Bandung Regency which has been carried out since October 23, 2025, all water quality samples from the six locations have proven to meet the eligibility standards.

"So the issue of the quality of clean water in the six SPPGs is clear, there is no need to be a debate anymore," said Arie.

However, of the seven SPPGs examined, SPPG Cihampelas was found using water that did not meet the requirements because it contained manganese contamination, iron, and Coliform bacteria. This condition is BGN's main concern to prevent similar cases in the future.

As a precautionary measure, BGN requires all MBG organizers to use certified gallon water when processing food.

"BGN still requires all SPPGs to cook MBG dishes with water from the certified gallon packaging," said Arie.

It is known that the first poisoning incident occurred on September 26, 2025 and involved three SPPGs, namely Cipongkor Cijambu, Cipongkor Neglasari, and Cihampelas. Based on the results of the investigation released on October 17, 2025, the source of poisoning is thought to have come from high levels of nitrith in food ingredients such as melon and lotek typical West Java dishes consisting of vegetables, peanut spices, as well as side dishes such as tofu or tempeh.

The next cases were reported on October 14 and 15, 2025, in two other locations, namely SPPG Cisarua Jambudipa and Cisarua Pasirlangu.

"In these two cases the incident cannot be further analyzed, because the independent investigative team did not obtain data on laboratory test results on the food presented," said Arie.