Indonesian officials investigate food safety incident affecting 219 students in Papua's free meal program

Indonesian officials investigate food safety incident affecting 219 students in Papua's free meal program

The National Nutrition Agency has launched a comprehensive investigation into a suspected food safety incident in Papua that affected 219 beneficiaries of Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal program, with officials conducting direct site visits to health facilities and the implicated kitchen in Jayapura District on Friday.

Deputy Head of BGN Trenggono, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, visited multiple treatment centers including Depapre Community Health Center, the Depapre Office Hall, and Yowari Regional General Hospital to ensure patients receive adequate medical care and to provide moral support to affected families.

The incident has drawn high-level government attention as it affects the MBG program, one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship social policies launched in January 2025. The program aims to provide meals to 83 million children and pregnant women nationwide, addressing Indonesia's nutrition challenges with a state budget allocation of Rp 268 trillion for 2026.

Kitchen operations suspended pending investigation

Following the site inspection of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit kitchen operated by the Kasih Iman Samuel Papua Foundation, officials identified multiple operational shortcomings and immediately suspended its operations. Trenggono stated that authorities discovered meals had been prepared too early, with cooking beginning around 7 p.m. but meals only served to students at approximately 11 a.m. the following day.

We found many shortcomings during the SPPG review, so we issued a reprimand. We are suspending operations while we investigate where the fault lies, whether in the standard operating procedures or the raw materials.

The agency dismissed the head of the local MBG kitchen unit following the investigation's preliminary findings. Officials also questioned the regional coordinator about oversight lapses that allowed such violations to occur.

Medical response and patient status

As of 3:45 p.m. local time Friday, 219 beneficiaries had received medical treatment at various health facilities across the region. Eight patients were discharged after their condition improved, while three patients required transfer from Yowari Regional General Hospital to the Ministry of Health Hospital for further treatment.

BGN and the Papua provincial government held discussions to strengthen cross-sector coordination and accelerate treatment protocols for affected beneficiaries. Trenggono emphasized that thorough evaluation measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents and improve program safety standards.

Program context and previous incidents

The MBG program, which was created in 2024 as part of Indonesia's strategy to combat malnutrition and stunting, operates through a planned network of 31,000 Nutritious Meal Kitchens across the country. The program is designed to provide approximately one-third of recipients' daily nutritional needs, according to BGN officials.

This incident follows previous food safety concerns in the program. In late September 2025, more than 9,000 children across West Java, Central Java, and Banten were hospitalized after consuming MBG meals, with over 500 students falling ill in a single day in Cipongkor, West Bandung.

The program supports Indonesia's broader nutrition goals, as the country has reduced its national stunting rate from 30.8% in 2018 to 19.8% in 2024, positioning it among the fastest-improving countries globally in child nutrition outcomes.

The National Nutrition Agency was established in 2024 as a specialized, non-ministerial body with authority to set nutrition standards and coordinate nutritional fulfillment programs nationwide. The BGN launched the free meal initiative on January 6, 2025, with 190 kitchens initially opening across Indonesia, including some operated by military bases.