Komnas HAM Urges BGN to Suspend MBG Food Providers at Poisoning Sites

Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission has called for a temporary halt to food service units linked to poisoning incidents under the Free Nutritious Meals program, saying the pause is needed for a full evaluation and system improvements.

Uli Parulian Sihombing, a commissioner overseeing assessment and research, said the request followed repeated suspected food-poisoning cases connected to the program in several regions. The commission recorded incidents in Sidoarjo, Rembang, Jombang and Solo in September 2026, affecting hundreds of students at schools and Islamic boarding schools. Similar cases were reported in Jayapura and Semarang in August.

The commission said victims need access to recovery that goes beyond apologies and assurances that the incidents will not happen again. “A human rights-based approach requires comprehensive remedies for victims when food contamination occurs,” Uli said. He said those remedies should include a transparent epidemiological investigation to identify the root cause, fair sanctions and guarantees against recurrence.

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There is a need for access to recovery for victims of food poisoning, including but not limited to an apology and guarantees that the incident will not happen again.

Komnas HAM also said the government should take responsibility for victims’ physical and mental health recovery. It urged the police and the Food and Drug Authority to pursue transparent, independent and fair legal action against those responsible.

The commission asked the National Nutrition Agency to coordinate with local governments, the Health Ministry and the Food and Drug Authority to strengthen oversight across every stage of meal provision. It said the right to food includes access to food that is safe, not merely sufficient in quantity or nutrition.

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A human rights-based approach requires comprehensive remedies for victims when food contamination occurs, including a transparent epidemiological investigation to identify the root cause, fair sanctions, and guarantees that the incident will not happen again.