September 7, 2026 | 01:41 pm
Parents carry an elementary school student from SDN Garuda who was among the victims of mass food poisoning linked to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to an emergency treatment post at SMPN 1 Cisarua in West Bandung Regency, West Java, on October 15, 2025. The incident reflects criticism that MBG meals at several locations fell far short of acceptable standards and failed to meet nutritional requirements, with some menus reportedly linked to serious health problems among children. Tempo/Prima Mulia
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has raised concerns over repeated food poisoning incidents linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, saying the recurring cases are increasingly becoming a pattern.Uli Parulian Sihombing, a commissioner overseeing research and assessment at Komnas HAM, said the repeated incidents raised serious concerns about the safety of children receiving meals through the program.“The incidents have continued to occur and are almost becoming a pattern,” Uli said in a written statement cited on Monday, September 7, 2026.Uli warned that without strict daily enforcement of food sanitation standards as part of a human rights-based food governance system, the state’s efforts to improve nutrition could lose their moral legitimacy. Instead of fulfilling people’s rights, the program could become a direct threat to human safety and dignity.“The recurrence of food poisoning incidents endangers the right to life of MBG beneficiaries, particularly schoolchildren,” Uli said.Hundreds of students affectedKomnas HAM recorded hundreds of students at Islamic boarding schools and other schools who were affected by food poisoning incidents in Sidoarjo and Rembang regencies, Jombang Regency and Surakarta, also known as Solo, in September 2026.The incidents add to a growing list of food poisoning cases associated with the MBG program. Similar incidents suspected to be linked to MBG were previously reported in Jayapura, Papua, and Semarang, Central Java, in August 2026.Uli said a human rights-based approach requires comprehensive remedies for victims whenever food contamination occurs. This should include a transparent epidemiological investigation to identify the root causes, fair sanctions against those responsible, and guarantees of non-repetition.Calls for MBG kitchens to be suspendedKomnas HAM outlined at least four recommendations in response to the recurring food poisoning cases.The commission urged the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the MBG program, to immediately suspend operations at food kitchens serving meals at locations where poisoning incidents occurred.BGN should also conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the causes of the incidents and ensure corrective measures are implemented, Uli said.She also stressed the importance of providing victims with access to effective remedies.“This should not be limited to apologies and guarantees that the incidents will not happen again,” Uli said.She added that the government bears full responsibility for victims’ physical and mental recovery.Calls for transparent enforcementKomnas HAM also called on the police and the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) to conduct transparent, independent and fair law enforcement against all parties involved in MBG-related food poisoning cases.Uli also urged BGN to coordinate with provincial and local governments, the Health Ministry and BPOM to strengthen oversight at every stage of food preparation and distribution.The commission said stronger safeguards are needed to ensure that the government’s effort to improve children’s nutrition does not come at the expense of their health, safety and basic rights.
