Allegedly Consuming MBG Packages, Poisoning Victims in Cianjur Reach 78 Students

BANDUNG, KOMPAS - The number of students poisoned in Cianjur Regency, West Java, on Monday (21/4/2025), increased from 52 to 78 individuals. It is suspected that they were poisoned after consuming free nutritious food.

The Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division (P2P) of the West Java Health Office, Rochady Hendra Setia Wibawa, confirmed this information in Bandung on Tuesday (22/4/2025). Affected students are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals and community health centers.

Rochad explained that 78 victims are not only from Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Cianjur. Among them, 23 victims are students from SMP PGRI 1 Cianjur.

Several victims are receiving treatment at two hospitals, namely Sayang Cianjur Regional General Hospital and Bhayangkara Hospital. They are experiencing symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhea.

These two schools are among the recipients of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in Cianjur Regency. There are 12 units of Nutritional Driving Education Units (SPPG) that have implemented MBG for 36,423 students in Cianjur.

"It turns out that the incident of students being poisoned occurred in two schools. The number of victims could possibly increase," he explained.

Rochady stated that his team is still investigating the cause of dozens of students experiencing poisoning. Food samples and vomit samples from the victims have been sent to the West Java Health Laboratory in Bandung.

"The Cianjur Health Office has sent food samples and vomit from these two schools to the West Java Health Laboratory for examination. The MBG program at the two schools has been temporarily suspended," he stated.

He added that it is hoped that the Health Office in each district and city will carry out supervision of the food prepared in the MBG program.

The Principal of SMP PGRI 1 Cianjur, Rika Mustikawati, revealed that 23 of her students who experienced food poisoning were from grades 7, 8, and 9. They consumed MBG food at 09:30 WIB.

The students of SMP PGRI 1 Cianjur consumed MBG food packages consisting of rice, fried noodles, shredded chicken, mendoan tempeh, and watermelon.

"Students began to experience symptoms of poisoning as the school hours were set to end at 1:30 PM WIB. They felt nauseous and vomited," Rika stated.

The Deputy Chairman of the West Java Regional House of Representatives, Ono Surono, has requested President Prabowo Subianto and the National Nutrition Agency to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of MBG. This is due to the numerous issues that have arisen, such as the poisoning experienced by dozens of students in Cianjur.

"The case of students experiencing poisoning in Cianjur has become one of the ongoing issues in the implementation of MBG. There needs to be an evaluation of this program," Ono emphasized.

The Regent of Cianjur, Dr. Wahyu Ferdian, personally visited the victims receiving treatment in the Emergency Room of Sayang Regional Hospital on Monday night. He also expressed his concern over the incident experienced by the victims.

Wahyu promptly instructed the relevant health facilities to coordinate with the school authorities. This effort is aimed at anticipating an increase in the number of victims experiencing poisoning.

"I have requested the school to conduct a census of the number of affected students. I am saddened and shocked that the children have to face this disaster," said Wahyu.