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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that the Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) in Air Asuk, Anambas Islands, Riau Islands, violated the technical guidelines set by the agency. The breach came to light following the discovery of borax and E. coli bacteria in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
However, Dadan stopped short of specifying the exact procedural breach. "It is a form of technical guideline violation," Dadan noted in a written statement on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
He emphasized that the SPPG serves as the front line for the MBG program and urged all units to strictly adhere to established protocols. "Non-compliance will result in sanctions," he warned.
Dadan also assured that cooperation with the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) would continue. Nevertheless, he called on SPPG managers to prioritize food quality and safety through their own initiative.
Previously, the BGN received a laboratory report from the Natuna Regency Health Office following a mass poisoning incident in the area. According to the results, local health officials detected borax and E. coli bacteria within the MBG menu samples.
The BGN Coordinator for the Anambas Islands, Sahril, stated that supervision would be tightened in response to the findings. He noted that the SPPG may only resume operations once it meets all established standards, including the renewal of its Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certification (SLHS).
The goal, he said, is to ensure that food poisoning incidents within the MBG program do not recur. "We also emphasize that the SPPG must enhance supervision and improve its adherence to BGN standards," he said, as quoted by Antara on Monday, May 4, 2026.
He confirmed that an "extraordinary event" occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, when beneficiaries of the MBG program in the Air Asuk area suffered from food poisoning. At the time, the Riau Islands Provincial Government and the local MBG task force launched an immediate investigation.
A team from the Food Security, Agriculture, and Animal Health Office, alongside the Provincial Health Office, examined the victims shortly after the suspected poisoning was reported. At least 155 individuals were affected by the incident.
To determine the precise cause, the Anambas Islands Regency Government conducted rapid tests using sanitary kits and sent food samples to BPOM Batam for laboratory analysis. "Test results from the Natuna District Health Office indicated that remaining food samples contained borax with contamination levels ranging from 100 to 5,000 milligrams, while BPOM confirmed the presence of E. coli," Sahril explained.
He clarified that while the rapid test results were available by April 15, the official laboratory findings were only received on April 28, 2026. However, the exact source of the contamination in the water and food remains under review. "Further investigation will be conducted to determine the cause," he concluded.
Dinda Shabrina contributed to this report
Read: Anambas MBG Food Poisoning: Lab Finds Borax, E. coli
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