Police Investigate Causes Of Students In Manokwari Poisoning MBG, Food Samples Tested Lab

Head of the Manokwari Police Criminal Investigation Unit AKP Raja Putra Napitupulu (ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking)

MANOKWARI - Manokwari City Police (Polresta), West Papua, is still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of 13 students suspected of being poisoned after eating Free Nutrition Food in the area.

Head of the Manokwari Police Criminal Investigation Unit AKP Raja Putra Napitupulu said evidence in the form of food had been confiscated for laboratory testing.

"The food samples carried out by laboratory tests consist of rice, chicken meat, fruit, and vegetables," said Napitupulu as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, Jli 31.

The sample, he said, was immediately handed over to the Manokwari Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) after conducting a crime scene investigation on Wednesday (30/7).

The police will take legal action according to procedures if the results of laboratory tests prove that samples of food contain toxins or substances that endanger health.

"We have also asked for clarification from the food provider. The next legal step is to wait for the lab results to come out," he said.

Head of the West Papua Ombudsman Representative, Amos Aktana, said that his party would conduct an examination of the MBG Program provider following the case of dozens of students suspected of being poisoned.

The central and regional governments must improve implementation governance to regular supervision, so that the MBG Program does not cause concern for the community.

"Even though this is the first time this has happened, it is an important note so that in the future this program can run better and not harm students," said Amos.

He said as many as 12 students of SD Negeri 45 Arowi and one student of SMP Negeri 13 Manokwari complained of shortness of breath, dizziness, accompanied by vomiting after consuming nutritious food.

The case of food poisoning was first reported by teachers from SD Negeri 45 Arowi and SMP Negeri 13 Manokwari, and currently all students have received medical treatment.