Suspected MBG Poisoning Cases Reported Across Four Indonesian Provinces in Three Days

Thousands of students, Islamic boarding-school pupils, teachers and other beneficiaries reported symptoms after eating meals provided through Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals program, known as MBG, during the first three days of September 2026.

The first case emerged on Sept. 1 in Sidoarjo, East Java. Hundreds of students and pupils at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school and other educational institutions fell ill after eating food supplied by the Kalitengah SPPG distribution unit. Sidoarjo’s health office recorded 566 victims on Sept. 2. By the following day, the tally had risen to about 730. Of those, 706 had been allowed to return home for outpatient treatment, 23 remained hospitalized and one person was still under observation.

The meal included white rice, scrambled eggs, Balinese-seasoned tempeh, stir-fried green beans and baby corn, and an apple. Operations at the Kalitengah unit were temporarily suspended for investigation.

On Sept. 2, dozens of students at SMAN 3 Nganjuk in East Java reported similar symptoms after eating MBG meals. Some received hospital treatment, while others went home after their conditions improved. Suspected cases were also reported the same day in Agam, West Sumatra. The number initially reported at 237 later rose to about 334, including students, teachers and other beneficiaries. The SPPG that supplied the meals was temporarily shut down, and food samples were sent for laboratory examination.