Banggai Islands, Indonesia – A mass food poisoning incident on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, sickened 251 students across six schools in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi.Authorities are focusing their investigation on a recent change in raw ingredient suppliers to teh Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, the kitchen responsible for providing free nutritious meals to local schools.
The affected schools include SMA 1 Tinangkung (high school), SMK 1 Tinangkung (high school), SDN Tompudau (elementary school), SDN Pembina (elementary school), SDN Saiyong (elementary school), adn MTS Alkhairat Salakan (junior high school). Students began exhibiting symptoms including itching, nausea, vomiting, facial swelling, an itchy throat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches after consuming the midday meal.
Dadan,a representative of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit,stated the kitchen had operated for eight months without prior incidents and that the menu served on September 17th was standard. “The preliminary suspicion is on the raw ingredients, coinciding with the change of supplier,” Dadan said in a written message on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Initial reports suggest the poisoning might potentially be linked to cakalang, a processed tuna, served during lunch. According to the official website of Banggai Regency, as of Thursday, September 18th, 78 students remained in intensive care at Trikora Salakan Regional General Hospital (RSUD), while 173 had been discharged.
Doctors suspect an allergic reaction, though investigations are ongoing. “Doctors suspect allergies, which are currently being thoroughly examined,” Dadan confirmed. The Banggai Regency government has established emergency tents outside RSUD Salakan to accommodate and monitor incoming patients. Additional students continue to seek treatment at the hospital.
