BGN Completely Investigates And Evaluates Cases Of Free Nutrition Food Toxics

Head Of BGN Dadan Hindayana/ANTARA/Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is investigating thoroughly and evaluating the case of Free Nutrition Food (MBG) poisoning that befell a number of students in the Bandung and Tasikmalaya areas, West Java.

Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana emphasized that his party continues to take quick and thorough steps in investigating the cause of the incident.

"In response to the emergence of similar cases in several areas, we affirm BGN's commitment to thoroughly investigate the causes and conduct a thorough evaluation to prevent similar incidents from happening again," said Dadan as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, May 3.

BGN emphasized the importance of cross-party collaboration, including educational units, nutritionists, food providers, and quality monitoring institutions, to ensure that all MBG supply processes range from material selection to distribution meet consumption safety and feasibility standards.

"We ensure that the entire process, both processing and distribution, is in accordance with operational standards. However, in-depth investigation is still needed to ensure critical points of the problem," he said.

Based on the results of the initial test conducted by the SPPG nutritionist team, the food was in good condition before being sent to the beneficiaries.

Head of the SPPG of the Abu Bakar Ash-Shiddiq Tasikmalaya Foundation, Michael Julius Tobing, said that all food management procedures had been carried out carefully before processing.

"Every menu component such as tofu, chicken, rice, vegetables, and potatoes, is checked for overall quality before processing," he said.

BGN also ensures that affected students have received the necessary medical treatment at local health facilities.

Previously, the Bandung City Health Office (Dinkes) reported that 342 students of SMP Negeri 35 Bandung City experienced symptoms of food poisoning after eating MBG on Tuesday (29/4).

Head of the Bandung City Health Office, Anhar Hadian, stated that his party immediately conducted an investigation into the school to collect food samples to find out the cause of mass poisoning.

"While the data I got yesterday afternoon there were 342 people. The homeroom teacher is still recording data, is still looking for additional information," Anhar told ANTARA in Bandung, Thursday (1/5).

Meanwhile, the Tasikmalaya District Health Office has handled 25 elementary and junior high school students who are suspected of having been poisoned after eating food distributed from schools.

"There was food poisoning, but now it has been followed up and handled at the Rajapolah Health Center," said Head of the Tasikmalaya Health Office Heru Suharto when confirmed by reporters regarding students suspected of having food poisoning, in Tasikmalaya, Friday (2/5).

He said the health team from the Rajapolah Health Center had carried out medical treatment for students who complained of illness after eating food.