RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – A suspected food poisoning incident linked to Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program, known as MBG, sent at least 22 kindergarten and early childhood students in Jember, East Java, to hospitals and community health centers after they suffered vomiting, diarrhea, and severe weakness shortly after eating school meals.
The Jember food poisoning case has triggered an emergency inspection of the food supplier’s kitchen facilities, with local authorities finding sanitation and operational standards that allegedly failed to meet requirements set by the National Nutrition Agency, or BGN.
Parents said the children began showing symptoms only hours after consuming meals distributed through the MBG program, including shredded chicken and vegetables served at schools in Kaliwates District, Jember Regency.
Students Hospitalized After Eating MBG School Meals
The incident involved dozens of students from kindergarten and PAUD institutions in Kaliwates. Several children reportedly experienced repeated vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue after eating food prepared by a kitchen operated under the SPPG food distribution system.
One parent said her child became seriously ill after returning from school and required immediate medical attention.
“My child kept vomiting continuously,” the parent said, adding that the student mainly ate the shredded chicken because she did not like vegetables. Other children who consumed the same chicken dish reportedly experienced similar symptoms.
Authorities suspect the contaminated food may have originated from the chicken menu distributed through the MBG program, although laboratory testing is still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the poisoning.
The case quickly drew public attention because the MBG initiative is part of Indonesia’s broader effort to improve child nutrition and food security through government-supported meal programs in schools.
Inspection Finds Kitchen Failed Hygiene Standards
Following the incident, the Jember MBG Task Force conducted a surprise inspection at the SPPG kitchen responsible for preparing the meals. Officials found several hygiene and operational problems during the inspection.
According to the task force, the kitchen condition appeared unclean and did not fully comply with food preparation standards required by BGN.
Officials said the authority to impose sanctions, including temporary suspension or permanent closure of the kitchen operation, remains under the jurisdiction of BGN.
“Our duty is to provide recommendations to BGN because the authority to suspend operations belongs to them,” a task force representative said.
The official added that the task force would compile reports from the Health Office, field inspection teams, and SPPG-related evaluations before submitting a comprehensive recommendation to BGN for further action.
Investigators also secured multiple food samples from the kitchen for laboratory testing to determine whether bacterial contamination, improper storage, or food handling errors caused the illness.
As a precautionary measure, authorities halted all activities at the SPPG kitchen pending the outcome of evaluations and compliance improvements.
Majority of Students Recovering as Investigation Continues
By Thursday evening, officials reported that the condition of most affected students had gradually improved. Many children were allowed to return home after receiving treatment at local health facilities.
Medical teams continue monitoring several students while awaiting laboratory results that could confirm the source of contamination.
The incident has renewed scrutiny over food safety controls within Indonesia’s expanding MBG program, particularly regarding kitchen sanitation, ingredient handling, and supervision of third-party food providers.
Food safety experts have long warned that large-scale school meal initiatives require strict hygiene monitoring because children remain among the most vulnerable groups to foodborne illness.
The Jember case may also prompt broader evaluations of MBG operational standards in other regions as authorities attempt to prevent similar incidents from occurring elsewhere.
Local officials emphasized that all findings from the inspection and health investigation will be submitted to BGN for final assessment and potential sanctions against the food provider.
While most students are recovering, the suspected Jember food poisoning case has raised fresh concerns among parents about the safety and quality control of meals distributed under Indonesia’s national nutrition initiative.