Septia Ryanthie, Jakarta – A mass food poisoning incident, suspected to be caused by meals from the President Prabowo Subianto's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, has occurred again, this time affecting several students and teachers in Gemolong District, Sragen Regency, Central Java.
According to information gathered by Tempo on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the case involved students and teachers from State Elementary School (SDN) 4 Gemolong and State Junior High School (SMPN) 3 Gemolong.
Head of the Gemolong Community Health Center, Agus Pranoto Budi, confirmed the incident. He said that based on preliminary data as of Tuesday, August 12, 2025, a total of 196 people, including students, teachers, school staff, and family members who consumed the food, showed symptoms of poisoning.
"Preliminary data shows that 196 people have exhibited symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea after eating the food brought home," Agus told reporters.
The food, part of the MBG program, had been distributed by the Independent Mitra Mandiri SPPG Kitchen Gemolong on August 11, 2025. After receiving reports, the health center team visited the victims for examination. Agus said their condition gradually improved and none required hospitalization.
"We have visited the victims and their recovery has been quite good. No one needs to be hospitalized," he said.
In response to the incident, the health center has set up a 24-hour service post for two days and carried out awareness campaigns at schools.
"We are ready at all times. We have also conducted campaigns at schools regarding this case," Agus added.
A team has collected food and water samples from the victims meals, which have been sent to a laboratory in Semarang to determine the exact cause.
"We are currently awaiting the laboratory results to provide an official conclusion on the cause of the poisoning," Agus said.
This is not the first suspected MBG-related poisoning. A similar case recently occurred in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, where 140 students from SMPN 8 Kupang were suspected of food poisoning after consuming free nutritious meals.
Many experienced diarrhea and vomiting and were treated at three hospitals (RSUD SK Lerik, RSU Mamami, and RS Siloam) on Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025. Tests on the food samples later revealed the presence of Streptococcus bacteria in the meat.