BGN: Food Poisoning Incident in Free Meal Program Caused by Technical Error

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana has attributed the food poisoning incident in the program for students in Sukoharjo, Central Java, to a technical error committed by the local Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

He said that no intentional wrongdoing was involved on the part of SPPG employees in Sukoharjo. “This was purely a technical error. There was no malicious intent,” Dadan said in a message exchange with Tempo on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Following the incident, the BGN provided guidance and conducted an evaluation of the SPPG in Sukoharjo. However, Dadan did not specify details of these directives and evaluations aimed at preventing future occurrences within the free nutritious meal program.

“The program is operating normally today,” he briefly stated.

Previously, Dadan said that the food poisoning incident at SDN Dukuh 03 Sukoharjo was caused by a technical error in food preparation. Approximately 40 students experienced food poisoning after consuming the free nutritious meal on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Ten of these students experienced nausea.

“The incident was caused by a technical processing error,” Dadan said in a written statement on January 16, 2025.

Dadan explained that the affected students had consumed a dish featuring fried chicken. Upon discovering that some students were experiencing nausea, all the chicken was immediately withdrawn and replaced with eggs. The affected students received medical attention and have since recovered. However, Dadan did not provide specific details regarding the processing error.

“Further details will be provided later, but the crispy chicken menu was withdrawn for the remaining students and replaced with boiled eggs. No other students experienced similar symptoms,” he added.

Lilik Kurniasih, Head of SDN Dukuh 03 Sidoarjo, also reported that the food poisoning incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. The food was delivered to the school at 9:00 a.m. and consumed by the students shortly after. Subsequently, some students began experiencing nausea and dizziness.

“Some students experienced nausea, dizziness, and one student vomited,” Lilik said as quoted by Antara.

She reported that at least ten out of 200 students at the school experienced these symptoms, primarily affecting students from grades 1 to 6. Several students also noted a stale odor emanating from the fried chicken served.

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