Operations suspended for Indonesian nutrition unit after suspected poisoning of students
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The Bogowanti Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Blora, Indonesia, has had its operations temporarily suspended following a suspected food poisoning incident.
- Nineteen students at SDN Sendangrejo required medical treatment after consuming a free nutritious meal, with suspicion falling on potentially stale milk.
- The suspension can last up to three months while the National Nutrition Agency investigates the SPPG's oversight and the cause of the contamination.
The Bogowanti Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Blora, Central Java, Indonesia, has temporarily suspended its operations after at least 19 students at SDN Sendangrejo were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning. The incident occurred after the students consumed a free nutritious meal provided by the SPPG.
The operations of SPPG have been temporarily suspended. So, whenever there is a prominent incident of food poisoning or digestive disturbance, SPPG will be temporarily suspended.
Bagus Anindito, head of the Semarang Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (KPPG), confirmed the suspension, stating that it is standard procedure for SPPGs to be temporarily halted following significant food poisoning or digestive disturbance events. This suspension can last for a maximum of three months.
An investigation by the Korwil Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN) Blora will follow to evaluate the SPPG Bogowanti. Anindito indicated that the milk served to the students might have been stale, suggesting a lack of adequate supervision by the SPPG. "So maybe the milk was stale. Well, the supervision was lacking from the SPPG side," he said.
So maybe the milk was stale. Well, the supervision was lacking from the SPPG side.
Even though the milk was packaged, Anindito noted that this does not guarantee against contamination. "Packaged milk, especially that circulating in the market, if even one tiny hole is present, it can become contaminated," he explained. The incident highlights concerns about food safety and quality control in school feeding programs.
Packaged milk, especially that circulating in the market, if even one tiny hole is present, it can become contaminated.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.