Investigating Toxic Cases, Government Temporarily Closes SPPG In Several Regions

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency Sony Sanjaya (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sony Sanjaya emphasized that the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) which experienced cases of Free Nutrition Food (MBG) poisoning will be stopped for a minimum of 14 days.

"The results of laboratory tests (from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency) are an average of 14 days before leaving, so the investigators are also in the process, asking for information, then collecting evidence. After that, BGN will review it again," said Sony, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 25.

As long as the SPPG stops operating, BGN will evaluate the overall cause of poisoning. After it is certain that the cause and the SPPG have been proven to have made improvements, the operational permit can be re-issued.

"BGN must see first, is it related to the condition of the facility or what? If the facilities have been repaired, then repair, the permit could be issued, but so far it has only been closed, then it will be closed, especially for this September," he explained.

BGN said that as of September 2025 the closed SPPGs were Garut, West Java, one SPPG, Tasikmalaya, West Java, 1 SPPG, and Banggai, South Sulawesi, 1 SPPG. In addition, the latest cases at SPPG Cipongkor, West Bandung, West Java were also temporarily suspended.

"Other is still an investigation because there was an incident where the cause was not poisoning," he said.

To deal with cases of poisoning in various regions, BGN cooperates with the police to conduct investigations. If an element of intent is found, then the SPPG will be processed criminally.

"Every time there is an incident, we coordinate with the Resort Police because the Resort Police come to the scene of the case, take pro justitia samples (according to the law), so yes, of course, coordinating from the start is like that. If it fulfills the criminal element, there is an element of intent, let alone, then the responsible perpetrator is based on the results of the investigation," he explained.

However, Sony emphasized that of all incidents of MBG poisoning that occurred during the nine months of BGN operating, no cases were found because of intentional elements.

"So far, no one has been convicted and most of them are still in process. Please check, please go to the head of the SPPG they go back and forth to the police station for questioning, testimony," he said.

BGN also stated that it was responsible for covering all medical expenses due to MBG poisoning.

"We have funds, there are things that we support, for example from operations, extraordinary events and various things, we will definitely provide them, they are full from BGN, all are covered (medical costs), for example in Banggai Regency, Islands, Central Sulawesi, there is a bill of Rp. 350 million from the hospital, we pay all of them, even yesterday how many billion have we prepared," said Deputy Head of BGN Nanik S. Deyang.

He emphasized that BGN did not charge any medical expenses to parents, schools, and local governments for cases of MBG poisoning.

"We don't burden anything on parents or local governments, so it's just a matter of when the hospital calls us, from BGN," he said.