Indonesia’s nationwide free school meal scheme, known as Makan Bergizi (MBG), is facing a wave of allegations that meals distributed in several districts caused acute poisoning, prompting health authorities to launch investigations and opposition from parents and professional bodies to call for an immediate suspension.
Health concerns and investigations
According to a report from detikHealth, a child who ate an MBG lunch in the Karo region experienced a loss of memory and was subsequently referred to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta for specialist assessment. The Ministry of Health confirmed that the child is undergoing neurological evaluation, but has not released details on the suspected toxin.
Batam News Asia added that another student in the same area suffered seizures shortly after the meal, reinforcing fears of a possible contamination event. Health officials have not yet disclosed whether laboratory tests have identified a specific poison, but they have pledged to “trace the source of the food and the handling process,” as noted in the Ministry’s statement.
Calls for program overhaul
Parents of the affected children, featured in a Kompas.tv segment, expressed outrage and demanded that the MBG program be halted pending a full safety audit.
"We want the program stopped and replaced with cash assistance cards until the government can guarantee the meals are safe," the parents said.
The Indonesian Dietitians Association (IDAI), quoted by VOI.ID, urged that meals be prepared in school canteens under the supervision of trained kitchen staff rather than relying on teachers to taste or approve the food. IDAI’s statement highlighted the lack of standardized cooking facilities as a “critical gap” that could expose children to hazardous ingredients.
Government response and proposed reforms
In response to the mounting pressure, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD proposed that the management of MBG be transferred from the existing School Feeding Program (SPPG) to locally run village cooperatives, known as Koperasi Desa Merah Putih. The proposal, reported by Kompas.com, aims to increase transparency and community oversight by placing procurement and distribution in the hands of residents rather than a centralized agency.
While the Ministry of Education and Culture has not yet confirmed whether it will adopt Mahfud’s recommendation, it reiterated that the MBG program remains a cornerstone of Indonesia’s effort to improve child nutrition and school attendance, especially in rural and low‑income areas.
Analysts note that the controversy could have broader political ramifications, as the MBG initiative has been a flagship policy of President Joko Widodo’s administration. The outcome of the health investigation and any policy shift on program management will likely influence public confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard essential services for children.
Until the investigations are concluded, the Ministry of Health advises parents to monitor their children for any unusual symptoms after meals and to report concerns to local health offices. The Ministry has also promised to publish its findings once the laboratory analysis is complete.
