In an official statement received here on Saturday, BGN Head Dadan Hindayana stated that his team had acted swiftly in response to the incidents.
"The BGN is truly committed to identifying the exact cause of these cases and conducting comprehensive evaluations to prevent them from recurring," he stated.
Hindaya emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration among educational institutions, nutritional experts, providers of ingredients, and authorities to ensure that the MBG program consistently delivers meals that meet safety standards.
He remarked that an initial test conducted by a team of nutritional experts indicated the allegedly contaminated meals in West Java were in good condition before being distributed to beneficiaries.
"We can assure the public that all processes, starting from cooking to distribution, have followed operational standards. However, we still find in-depth investigations crucial to identify the root of the problem," he affirmed.
Michael Julius Tobing, head of an MBG kitchen of the BGN in Tasikmalaya, made similar statements, emphasizing that the food materials and ingredients used for the meals were properly handled before cooking.
"All components, including tofu, chicken, rice, vegetables, and potatoes, underwent strict quality checks before being processed," he stressed.
The BGN has also ensured that all pupils affected by the poisoning cases have received medical treatment at local health facilities.
Earlier, the Bandung City Health Office reported that students at a public junior high school exhibited symptoms of food poisoning after eating MBG-provided meals on April 29. Similarly, the Tasikmalaya District Health Office reported symptoms in 25 students across elementary and junior high schools.
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Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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