Prabowo issues instructions on free nutritious meals program to BGN

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has issued direct and highly detailed technical instructions to the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in response to a mass food poisoning incident linked to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which affected more than 5,000 children.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, speaking to reporters near President Prabowo’s residence on Jalan Kertanegara, Jakarta, on Sunday evening, said that the President convened a meeting on the MBG program shortly after arriving in Jakarta on Saturday evening (Sept. 27).

"Frankly, upon landing at Halim yesterday, the President immediately summoned several ministers specifically to discuss the MBG issue at the National Food and Nutrition Agency (BBGN). He gave direct instructions on corrective actions, which led to today’s follow-up meeting led by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs at the Ministry of Health. The main focus, as he stressed, is the safety of our children," Prasetyo told journalists.

Prasetyo, who also serves as the Presidential Spokesperson, added that the results of Sunday’s coordination meeting at the Health Ministry had been reported back to the President.

"We reported the outcomes of the afternoon meeting, along with plans for improvements in governance. The President has been providing very detailed and technical instructions since yesterday, particularly on procedural discipline - especially regarding hygiene and water safety. He is deeply concerned, as initial lab tests point to bacterial contamination as a primary cause," Prasetyo said.

At his residence, President Prabowo also held a limited cabinet meeting with several ministers to further discuss the MBG program and other priority national programs, including oil lifting targets, revitalization of fishing ponds and coastal villages, and the rollout of the Free Health Check (CKG) program. The closed-door meeting lasted approximately three hours.

Regarding the food poisoning cases, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reported that between January and September 2025, a total of 70 food safety incidents were recorded, including contamination and poisoning, impacting 5,914 MBG recipients.

Of the 70 incidents, nine cases with 1,307 affected individuals were reported in Sumatra (Region I), including in Lebong Regency, Bengkulu, and Bandar Lampung, Lampung Province.

In Region II (Java), 41 incidents occurred, affecting 3,610 MBG recipients. Meanwhile, Region III - which includes Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara - reported 20 cases, impacting 997 recipients.

Laboratory analyses identified several types of bacterial contamination as the main causes: E. coli was found in water, rice, tofu, and chicken; Staphylococcus aureus in tempeh and meatballs; Salmonella in chicken, eggs, and vegetables; Bacillus cereus in noodle dishes; and other bacteria such as Coliform, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Proteus in contaminated water samples.