Two Cases Of MBG Spoiled Food Revealed, BGN East Kalimantan Holds Evaluation Of Provisional Kitchens

Illustration of free nutritious food (ANTARA)

BALIKPAPAN - Two cases of spoiled free nutritious food (MBG) in East Kalimantan have drawn public attention. The East Kalimantan Regional National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has immediately tightened the food screening process at all nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) to prevent a recurrence.

These findings were revealed during an evaluation meeting of the MBG program held by the East Kalimantan Regional BGN in Balikpapan City. The meeting revealed that, nearly a year into the program, two cases of spoiled food were found that were nearly distributed to students.

The Head of the East Kalimantan Regional BGN, Binti Maulina Putri, confirmed the findings. Both cases occurred in Balikpapan City and Samarinda City.

"There were cases, but they were immediately withdrawn and not distributed. There was one in Balikpapan and one in Samarinda," said Binti in Balikpapan on Wednesday, November 12.

In response to these incidents, the East Kalimantan BGN immediately conducted an evaluation of the SPPG kitchens involved. They asked all kitchen managers to be more careful in selecting food ingredients and ensuring that everything meets nutritional quality standards.

Binti reminded SPPG kitchens not to be tempted by cheap raw material prices, which could compromise food quality. She emphasized the importance of strict screening from the start, from raw material selection to distribution to students.

"This food is a long process; don't accept ingredients of substandard quality, even if they're cheap. Screening must be carried out from the start," she stressed.

Despite these findings, the National Food and Nutrition Board (BGN) confirmed that there have been no cases of food poisoning among students from the MBG program in East Kalimantan. However, the agency will continue to tighten supervision in every district and city to ensure nutritional quality meets national standards.