September 21, 2025 | 12:28 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the government to temporarily halt the free nutritious meal program (MBG) for a comprehensive evaluation. This demand comes after another mass food poisoning incident involving children, including those in early childhood education (PAUD) in Tasikmalaya, West Java.
"The food poisoning incidents experienced by Indonesian children in the MBG program are no longer tolerable. Most recently, it affected very young children in PAUD," stated KPAI's Deputy Chairman, Jasra Putra, in a written statement quoted on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
According to Jasra, the bodies of young children are significantly different from adults. Children have difficulty describing their health conditions, especially if they come from families that are less sensitive or neglectful. "For KPAI, one case of a child experiencing poisoning is already one too many," he said.
He likened the MBG program to a speeding car that does not have time to observe the road conditions ahead. The government, he said, needs to temporarily put on the brakes to strengthen supervision, guidance instruments, and food safety standards before resuming the program.
Prior to this, KPAI, along with the Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) and World Vision Indonesia (WVI), conducted a survey among 1,624 respondents from 12 provinces to gather children's voices regarding the MBG program. The results showed that 583 children admitted to having received MBG meals that were spoiled, smelly, or stale. Furthermore, 11 respondents continued to consume the food for various reasons.
Children also expressed complaints about the quality and hygiene of the food. Some respondents described their experiences of receiving vegetables and fruits with worms, food with an unpleasant odor, and dirty serving containers. They requested that MBG providers ensure that the food remains fresh, not stale, and align the menu with the children's needs.
Based on the survey results, KPAI identified four main issues with the MBG program. First, the hygiene and food safety aspects are not yet optimal. Second, the timing and presentation of the meals are disappointing for the children. Third, there is a lack of in-depth and sustainable nutritional education. Fourth, the MBG program still tends to focus on economic aspects rather than children's nutrition.
"The principle of child protection must be the guideline, starting from the best interests of the child to respecting their opinions," stated Jasra. He emphasized that the government is obliged to ensure that the free nutritious meals provided are safe, of high quality, and do not pose a risk of mass poisoning.
Editor's Choice: 10 Students Still Hospitalized After Suspected Free Meal Poisoning in Garut, West Java
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