Indonesian School Lunch Program Faces Scrutiny After Reports of Widespread Illness
Jakarta, Indonesia – A government-run school lunch program in Indonesia is under review after nearly 4,700 instances of children falling ill after consuming meals provided through the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. The National Nutrition agency (BGN) revealed the figures following a comprehensive mapping exercise across Sumatra, Java, and other regions of the archipelago.
Despite serving over one billion meals to date,BGN Head Dadan Hindayana acknowledged the concerning number of health issues. “We deeply regret that 4,700 portions caused problems for children,” Hindayana stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. “We are committed to tightening the mechanisms to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.”
The majority of reported incidents appear linked to newly established local Nutrition Service Units (SPPG), or school kitchens. BGN is urging these units to adopt a phased approach to food production, starting with a limited number of schools to build capacity and identify potential issues before scaling up.
“If an SPPG is responsible for 3,500 children across 20 schools, we advise them to initially serve only two schools for the first few days,” Hindayana explained. “Expansion should only occur once they have demonstrably proven their capacity to handle food preparation safely.”
Regional Breakdown of Illnesses:
* Sumatra: 7 incidents, affecting 1,281 children
* Java: 27 incidents, affecting 2,606 children
* Other Regions (Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi, NTB, NTT, Papua): 11 incidents, affecting 824 children
A recent outbreak in the Banggai Islands, central Sulawesi, where 329 children became sick after consuming improperly processed cakalang (skipjack tuna), has prompted a specific warning regarding ingredient management and supplier changes. BGN emphasized the importance of gradual transitions when switching suppliers, notably with ingredients like cakalang which require meticulous cleaning to prevent allergic reactions and possibly fatal complications.
“Careful handling of cakalang is crucial,” Hindayana cautioned. “Improper processing can lead to serious health consequences.”
BGN is currently conducting further investigations into the reported digestive problems and is working with SPPG units to implement early mitigation strategies. The agency’s priority remains ensuring the MBG program delivers nutritious and safe meals to Indonesian schoolchildren.
Keywords: Indonesia, school lunch program, food poisoning, health issues, National Nutrition Agency, BGN, MBG, cakalang, skipjack tuna, food safety, children’s health.
