11 Students Suspected Of Poisoning MBG In Manokwari, Police Investigate Fish Refreshment

Head of the Manokwari Police Criminal Investigation Unit AKP Agung Gumara when met by media crews in Manokwari, West Papua, Friday (28/11/2025). BETWEEN/Fransiskus Salu Weking

MANOKWARI Manokwari City Police (Polresta), West Papua, is still investigating the alleged poisoning experienced by 11 students of SMA Negeri 2 Manokwari after eating Free Nutrition Food (MBG). The incident occurred on Monday, November 24.

Head of the Manokwari Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Agung Gumara, said that his party had asked for information from the school, the manager of the kitchen of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), to food suppliers.

"Including fish suppliers, because there are indications that the fish are not fresh," he said as quoted by Antara, Friday, November 27.

Agung explained that the suspicion of poisoning began when a student experienced nausea and allergies a few hours after consuming the MBG menu. This case was then coordinated with the Manokwari District Health Office for food sample examination.

"Because this is a government program, the handling involves technical agencies from local governments," he said.

He emphasized the importance of ongoing supervision of the MBG supply process, from raw materials to food processing, in order to ensure that all SPPG kitchens apply the correct operational standards.

"We continue to urge all SPPG kitchen managers to follow standards, from raw materials to food processing," said Agung.

Agung added, in the case of suspected MBG poisoning previously on July 30, 2025, raw materials that did not meet health requirements were the main causes, especially fish and chicken supplied from outside the region.

Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Manokwari Health Service, Marten Rantetampang, highlighted the importance of regulating production, distribution and consumption time so as not to exceed the six-hour safe limit.

He said the delay in distribution was one of the main factors in the alleged food poisoning experienced by students. "In terms of supervision, we have tightened since the first incident," said Marten.