Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Hundreds of students from several schools in the Pulogebang area of Cakung, East Jakarta, have fallen ill with symptoms of food poisoning after consuming the free nutritious meal (MBG), the government's hallmark program.

Jakarta Health Department Head Ani Ruspitawati stated that the food poisoning occurred at schools served by the Pulogebang nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG).

"Currently, 26 students are still being treated in several hospitals," Ani said when confirmed by Tempo via WhatsApp message on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Based on information compiled by Tempo, the suspected poisoning cases following MBG consumption occurred at several elementary schools in the Pulogebang area on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Ani Ruspitawati mentioned that, according to reports received by her agency, 252 parents of students had reported cases. However, not all parents sought formal health services.

She added that some parents did not access health services because the symptoms experienced by their children were mild. "There are 188 students recorded who accessed health services," Ani noted.

The Jakarta Health Department, she continued, has not yet been able to determine the exact cause or the specific contents of the MBG meal that triggered the outbreak.

She explained that laboratory test results will only be available on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. "However, the suspicion regarding the physical food points toward the dumpling tofu dish," Ani said.

The schools affected by this MBG poisoning incident include SDN (State Elementary) Cakung Timur 01, as well as SDN Ujung Menteng 02 and 03.

Tempo has sent a confirmation request regarding this suspected MBG poisoning case in East Jakarta to the Head of the National Nutrition Body (BGN), Dadan Hindayana.

However, until the time of publication, the message sent via the WhatsApp messaging application has received no reply.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2102742/mbg-poisoning-again-hundreds-of-students-fall-ill-in-cakun