“We have funds from operational and emergency budgets. For example, in Banggai, Central Sulawesi, we paid Rp350 million (about $20,000) in hospital bills,” BGN Deputy Head Nanik S. Deyang told reporters.
She stressed that parents, schools, and local governments will not be charged. “The hospital just needs to call us,” Deyang added.
To prevent future incidents, BGN is enforcing stricter standards at Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs), requiring all kitchen staff to be certified by an official culinary institution or food agency.
“Chefs must have certification. If they don’t, they can take a test and earn it within three months,” Deyang said.
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BGN has temporarily suspended SPPGs that violate food safety procedures, with penalties ranging from operational halts to the dismissal of unit heads.
“We’re not taking this lightly. If all technical guidelines are followed, these kitchens are hygienic and safe. But if not, we’ll shut them down immediately,” she said.
Deyang noted that an extraordinary incident (KLB) in West Bandung, where thousands of students were sickened, prompted swift action. Two kitchens run by the same foundation have been closed during the investigation.
“Every life matters. Even one life lost is too many,” she said.
BGN is now working with police, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), and the local health department to ensure safety and accountability.
The MBG program, launched to improve student nutrition, has come under scrutiny after several foodborne illness outbreaks were reported across the country.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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