Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.vThe government has temporarily closed nutrition service units (SPPG) kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program after a series of food poisoning incidents affecting thousands across the country.

“SPPG kitchens found problematic are shut down for evaluation and investigation,” Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said at a press conference on Sunday (28/9/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Authorities will review discipline, quality, and the competence of kitchen staff, while all food preparation units must sterilize utensils, improve sanitation, and ensure clean water and proper waste management.

The National Nutrition Agency (MBG)reported 70 food safety incidents from January to September 2025, with 5,914 MBG recipients affected. Most cases occurred in Java, followed by Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara.

Laboratory tests detected bacteria including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Bacillus cereus in contaminated water and food items such as rice, tofu, chicken, and tempeh.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)