Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP)’s Criminal Investigation Department is assisting regional police in investigating suspected food poisoning linked to the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

“We are assisting the handling process to establish the facts for food safety itself,” said Brigadier General Helfi Assegaf, the Director of the Special Economic Crimes Directorate, at the INP on Thursday (25/9/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

The assistance includes monitoring food safety procedures from preparation to distribution, with findings to be submitted as recommendations to the government and MBG organizers. Investigators visited Banggai Islands District, Central Sulawesi, after reports that hundreds of students fell ill.

On 17 September 2025, Trikora Salakan Hospital recorded 335 students suffering stomach pain and nausea after consuming MBG meals. Police inspected the local nutrition service kitchen suspected as the source, interviewing staff and examining facilities.

Authorities emphasized the case remains under investigation as data and evidence continue to be collected.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)