Nandito Putra, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Body (BGN) has recorded 211 cases of food poisoning related to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program throughout 2025. Of the total cases, the number of affected victims has reached 11,640.
"The national cases of food poisoning have reached 441 incidents. Out of that number, 211 are related to the Free Nutritious Meal program," said Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana during a working meeting with the House of Commission IX (DPR) on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
He stated that out of the total 441 cases of food poisoning in Indonesia, almost half (48 percent) originated from the MBG program. He detailed that 636 victims had to be hospitalized, while 11,004 others received outpatient treatment. However, the data from BGN and the Ministry of Health slightly differ.
"According to our data, there are 636 inpatients, while the Ministry of Health records 638. For the outpatients, we recorded 11,004, and the Ministry of Health recorded 12,755. We will synchronize the data later," he said.
Additionally, Dadan mentioned that BGN has produced 1.8 billion meal servings in the MBG program since its inception. During the meeting, Dadan also explained how they developed the 8,000 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs/kitchens) in remote areas to reach challenging areas such as mountains, islands, and hinterlands.
This project was carried out in collaboration with the MBG Regional Government Task Force. Authority over locations and potential investors was handed over to local governments. "Different from agglomeration areas, the SPPG buildings in remote areas will be directly leased by the government for four years after completion," said Dadan.
BGN has collaborated with the Ministry of Finance through the Directorate General of State Asset Assessment to determine the upfront lease value. "If the construction cost is around Rp1.5 billion with a breakeven point of three years, then the four-year lease in the future could reach Rp2 billion," he said.
To date, BGN has mapped 8,286 remote SPPG points across Indonesia, including in Sumatra (1,945 points), Java (235), Kalimantan (1,783), Sulawesi (969), Bali-Nusa Tenggara (1,265), and Papua (2,043). Out of the total, 8,218 points already have potential investors, while 68 points are still awaiting verification.
Dadan added that the agency has proposed an additional budget of Rp28.63 trillion to ensure the program's continuity. With this addition, the total estimated budget requirement for the MBG program in 2025 is expected to reach Rp99 trillion.
He stated that BGN has also updated the technical guidelines (juknis) for the MBG program. This is aimed at clarifying the limits of the number of beneficiaries and improving the implementation governance in the field.