Head of the Kadungora Community Health Center, Noni Cahyana, reported that the number of students treated initially stood at 19 but later rose by around 10.
The victims included two elementary school students, eight from SMP PGRI Kadungora, and the majority from SMP Negeri 1 Kadungora.
One teacher also reported symptoms after tasting the meal served under the program.
The symptoms experienced by the students included dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.
A parent of one of the victims, Wiwin, said her child immediately complained of breathing difficulties after eating the MBG meal at school.
By late afternoon, more students continued to arrive at the health center for treatment.
Medical staff remained on alert to handle the victims, while police secured the area and collected statements from several witnesses.
Earlier, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) had temporarily suspended 56 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in response to a series of food poisoning cases linked to the MBG program.
BGN reported last week that between January and September 2025, there were 70 recorded food safety incidents, including poisoning cases, affecting 5,914 MBG recipients.
Of these, nine cases with 1,307 victims occurred in Region I Sumatra, 41 cases with 3,610 affected recipients in Region II Java, and 20 cases with 997 affected in Region III, which covers Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara.
Related news: Komnas HAM to probe free meal program after food poisoning cases
Related news: Food safety alert: Ombudsman calls for tighter oversight of MBG
Translator: Feri Purnama, Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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