JakartaGlobe-Sept 22
More than 5,000 food poisoning cases have been linked to Indonesia’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program as of September, prompting the government to pledge corrective measures and a full evaluation of the scheme. Head of the Presidential Staff Muhammad Qodari said Monday that official reports from three state institutions showed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) recording 5,080 cases, the Health Ministry reporting 5,207, and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) citing 5,320. Civil society groups put the number slightly higher at 5,360. Most cases peaked in August, with West Java recording the highest concentration, according to BPOM assessments. Investigators attributed the food safety lapses to poor hygiene, improper food storage and preparation, cross-contamination, and in some cases, allergic reactions among beneficiaries. Quadri acknowledged systemic shortcomings, stating that of 1,379 food service providers (SPPG), only 312 were fully applying food safety protocols. Meanwhile, just 34 of 8,583 providers had secured official hygiene and sanitation certification from the Health Ministry. The MBG program, a priority under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, has so far served 22.7 million beneficiaries with Rp 13 trillion ($790 million) in funding disbursed this year, according to Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara. The government aims to expand coverage to 82.9 million recipients by the end of 2025. Read more at:
