Indonesia suspends nearly 2,000 free meal kitchens for breaching sanitation rules
The agency said it will investigate the kitchens after food-poisoning cases affected at least 50,000 people, according to a lawmaker.
- The National Nutrition Agency chief Sudaryono suspended 1,999 kitchens across Indonesia on Monday for failing to register for mandatory hygiene and sanitation certifications required by the health ministry.
- Massive food poisoning outbreaks have plagued the program, with Lawmaker Charles Honoris reporting at least 50,000 people affected by Sep 1 and more than 2,000 students and teachers falling ill last week.
- The agency currently oversees 27,022 kitchens nationwide, with officials attributing recent illnesses to improper food storage and late meal deliveries while emphasizing that compliance with sanitation standards remains non-negotiable.
- Promising to handle the cases "seriously," The agency will investigate the suspended facilities to ensure compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards before determining further action.
- Since President Prabowo Subianto launched the initiative last year, the program has faced persistent challenges including corruption allegations, leadership turnover, and significant food safety concerns that extend beyond this suspension.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Mahfud MD urges evaluation of MBG Program after repeated poisoning cases, BGN closes 1,999 kitchens, HAM demands restoration of victims' rights.
BGN suspends nearly 2,000 free meal kitchens after food poisoning outbreak - Politics
BGN suspended 1,999 kitchens across Indonesia because they did not register with the health ministry to undergo mandatory hygiene and sanitation certifications, agency chief Sudaryono said on Monday.
The Indonesian government has ordered the suspension of nearly 2,000 kitchens participating in its free food program nationwide after discovering they were not registered and lacked hygiene certification. This has led to more than 50,000 children and teachers falling ill from food poisoning.
BGN has temporarily closed 1,999 Nutrition Service Unit kitchens that provide the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
Indonesia's National Food Agency has temporarily suspended 1,999 soup kitchens under its free meal program because they failed health inspections. A total of 27,022 soup kitchens remain open in the country.
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