BGN Chief Says 80% of MBG Poisoning Cases Stem from SOP Violations

More than 80% of poisoning cases recently linked to Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals program were caused by violations of standard operating procedures, National Nutrition Agency chief Sudaryono told lawmakers.

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Regarding the poisoning problem, I think most of it, more than 80%, is due to SOP violations. The most common issue concerns the consumption time SOP.

Speaking to the House of Representatives’ Commission IX in Jakarta, Sudaryono said many food service units did not understand or follow requirements for storage and serving. Some kitchens, he said, prepared more food than they could safely handle, cooking meals early and leaving them before distribution.

He also pointed to failures to observe expiration dates. In one case in Sidoarjo, East Java, food prepared at 5 a.m. carried a label saying it should be consumed before 10 a.m. The meals did not reach a school until after 11 a.m. and were consumed around noon and later, he said.

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Some cases happened because people did not understand the SOP. Food storage and serving did not match the kitchen’s capacity.

Sudaryono said the agency was not seeking to excuse the incidents, but attributed them to a lack of discipline and compliance. Reports of health problems after MBG meals have emerged in Sidoarjo, Agam in West Sumatra and Lasem in Central Java. The agency is now carrying out a comprehensive evaluation.

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The expiration date was also not followed. The clearest example is in Sidoarjo.