Another wave of mass food poisoning cases has struck the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, raising serious concerns over food safety and program implementation.

At least 157 students in Banggai Islands, Central Sulawesi, fell ill on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after consuming meals provided under the program. According to the Banggai Regency administration, the victims ranged from elementary to high school students in Salakan Ward.

Of the total, 77 required intensive medical treatment, while 80 others were treated as outpatients.

Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, said preliminary findings pointed to a sudden change in food suppliers.

“According to initial information, a new skipjack tuna supplier might have caused allergic reactions among some beneficiaries. We have instructed local (BGN) units to gradually replace the supplier,” Dadan told reporters on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Samples of the suspected fish dish have been collected and are being tested by the Central Sulawesi branch of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

On the same day, hundreds of students in Garut, West Java, also fell sick after eating meals from the same program. The menu included rice, chicken woku, tempeh, fresh vegetables, and strawberries. Students reported nausea, vomiting, and dizziness shortly after eating.

Initial reports put the number of affected students at 194. However, Garut Health Office chief Leli Yuliani said the figure had since surged to 569 across four schools, with 30 students hospitalized.

“Most cases are mild and treated at home, but 19 students remain under inpatient care,” Leli said on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Pattern of repeated outbreaks

The Garut and Banggai incidents add to a growing list of mass poisoning cases linked to MBG program.

The Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) recorded at least 1,530 children poisoned since the program was launched. Meanwhile, the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) reported a higher figure of 4,041 victims as of early September.

The incidents have prompted civil society groups to demand a temporary suspension of the program until a comprehensive evaluation is completed.

Food safety standards

BPOM has stressed the need for stricter adherence to food safety standards following multiple outbreaks. The agency noted that similar incidents had recently occurred, including one in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu, on August 27, 2025, which affected more than 470 people.

Agus Yudi Prayuda, BPOM’s director for community empowerment and processed food enterprises, said these incidents clearly qualified as extraordinary events.

“Under the Food Law, only two people showing the same symptoms after consuming the same food are enough to classify it as extraordinary event. What happened in Bengkulu, Garut, and Banggai far exceeds that threshold,” Agus spoke to Indonesia Business Post during a gathering with the Indonesian Nutritious Food Entrepreneurs Association (Gapembi), on Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025.