Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) responded to reports of suspected food poisoning linked to shark dishes served in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program at SDN 12 Benua Kayong elementary school, Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

Deputy Head of BGN Nanik S. Deyang clarified that shark was only served twice during the program. 

“If any food is proven to cause poisoning, we will stop using it in that area, even if it is widely available as a protein source,” she said in a press conference on Thursday (25/9/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Nanik explained that MBG menus are based on local wisdom and food availability, noting that shark is common in Ketapang but rare and expensive elsewhere.

She added that BGN fully covers medical costs for MBG-related poisoning cases, citing an earlier Rp3 50 million hospital bill in Banggai Islands, Central Sulawesi, already paid by the agency.

BGN stressed no financial burden would be placed on parents, schools, or local administrations.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)