Vedro Imanuel Girsang, Jakarta – Indonesia's Ministry of Human Rights speaks out about the mass poisoning incident experienced by students after consuming the free nutritious meal (MBG). Until now, the number of students affected by the poisoning continues to rise.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Rights, Novita Ilmaris, stated that the institution has been monitoring the mass poisoning phenomenon caused by the consumption of MBG. "Yesterday, the Minister of Human Rights directly met with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency," said Novita on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Novita explained that at the time, the Minister of Human Rights requested an explanation regarding the standard operating procedures in providing MBG menus in schools. The goal was to identify any systemic issues that might have caused the poisoning.
According to Novita, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has ensured that the distribution of MBG menus to schools follows the SOP. "There are several new policies issued regarding the SOP (MBG distribution), most likely as a result of our coordination," Novita stated.
Novita stated that the Ministry of Human Rights will continue to support the implementation of the MBG program as it is considered in line with the spirit of fulfilling human rights. "Free nutritious meals are part of the government's strategy in fulfilling its responsibility to ensure the right to food," said Novita to journalists.
Previously, the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) noted an increase in MBG poisoning victims. "The number of victims as of October 19, 2025, reached 13,168 children," said JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji in a written statement on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Ubaid mentioned that the highest number of MBG poisoning victims were in West Java Province, with 549 victims, followed by the Special Region of Yogyakarta with 491 victims, and Central Java with a total of 270 victims. "Subsequently, North Sumatra had 99 victims and West Nusa Tenggara 84 victims," said Ubaid.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto stated that the number of illnesses resulting from consuming free, nutritious meals remains within acceptable limits. "If we take 8,000 out of 1.4 billion (portions), it is still within a margin of error that is humane," said Prabowo during a full cabinet session at the State Palace, Jakarta, on October 20, 2025.
He also noted that the number of illnesses was 0.0007 percent of the total MBG portions distributed. This means, according to Prabowo, 99.99 percent were successful. "Almost no human endeavor carried out over the past seven years with such a large volume has zero error, zero defect. It is very difficult," said Prabowo.
– Novali Panji Nugroho and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article