Amidst Food Poisoning Case Rising, Palace Confirms Free Meal Program Will Not Be Stopped

Illustration of free nutritious meal (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Palace has emphasized that the free nutritious meal program (MBG) will not be discontinued despite the rise in food poisoning cases in several regions.

Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro stated that the MBG program will continue. The government is increasing monitoring and evaluation to prevent similar cases from recurring. "The MBG will continue to run as of today," Juri said at the Ministry of State Secretariat office in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 24.

According to Juri, the government continues to accommodate public requests for a temporary halt to the MBG program for a comprehensive evaluation. However, a moratorium on the program is not yet an option.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to follow up on the food poisoning cases and strengthen preventative measures. "The problems that arise will be immediately addressed, evaluated, and solutions will be found," Juri emphasized.

Government data, through the BGN, the Ministry of Health, and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), recorded more than 5,000 cases of MBG poisoning by September 2025. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) reported that the number had reached 6,452 cases as of September 21.

The surge in cases has prompted JPPI to urge President Prabowo to temporarily halt the program and conduct a comprehensive evaluation.

JPPI Program and Advocacy Coordinator, Ari Hadianto, believes the MBG poisoning issue is not merely a technical issue, but also concerns the suboptimal program governance under the National Land Agency (BGN).

"This is our recommendation, and we are addressing it directly to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Prabowo," Ari said during a public hearing at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday.