PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The alleged food poisoning that befell hundreds of students of SMP Negeri 35 Bandung has become a serious concern for the Bandung City Government (Pemkot). This incident occurred on Tuesday (29/4/2025), and is related to the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) implemented in a number of schools.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan, admitted his concern and stated that this incident was a warning to tighten supervision of the implementation of MBG.

"There are 30 classes of SMPN 35 Bandung students who were poisoned. I immediately coordinated with all parties and checked the condition of the students," said Farhan at the Pendopo Kota Bandung, Thursday (1/5/2025)

According to him, this incident is an important lesson for all parties, especially in terms of monitoring food ingredients, cleanliness, and MBG operations.

Although the City Government does not have the authority to replace the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), Farhan emphasized the city government's commitment to strengthening the supervisory function.

"Although it does not have the authority to take action, the City Government will supervise more strictly because those consuming the food are Bandung City residents, because it is the City Government's duty to protect school children," he said.

Farhan said that even though SMPN 35 was affected, SMAN 19 Bandung who consumed a similar menu were saved from poisoning because they did not eat food that already smelled.

"This is also an important lesson, children need to be taught not to eat food if they smell something bad," he said.

He stated that he had coordinated with the Health Service (Dinkes), the Food Security and Agriculture Service, and the Trade and Industry Service (Disdagin) to strengthen supervision of MBG food distribution.

"I am relieved because the victims have recovered and none of them are hospitalized," he said.

Acting Head of the Bandung City Education Office (Disdik) Dani Nurahman explained that his party had carried out cross-agency coordination since the beginning of the implementation of MBG, including with the Health Office, SPPG, and schools.

"If a problem occurs, we immediately coordinate with SPPG, the Health Office, and the school," he said.

According to initial reports, a homeroom teacher of class 8A who tasted the food experienced stomach ache and diarrhea. Similar complaints were then reported by hundreds of students the next day. Preliminary data recorded 342 students from 20 classes experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache.

Head of the Bandung City Health Office, Anhar Hadian, said that the food came from one of MBG's partner kitchens which also serves SDN 024 Coblong, SDN 189 Neglasari, and SMAN 19 Bandung.

"The consumption time in each school is different. The most affected is SMPN 35. The food already smells, although not pungent. Initial suspicion is that there is contamination," he said.

The Health Office has taken food samples to be tested at the West Java Labkesda and checked the food provider's kitchen. Three Community Health Centers, namely Dago, Sekeloa, and Puter, are also handling the affected students. However, none of them were hospitalized.

"We continue to monitor the condition of the students. Hopefully, when school reopens, everyone will have recovered," he said.

As a follow-up step, the Education Office and Health Office will strengthen supervision, provide retraining for food handlers, and develop MBG provider kitchens.

The Bandung City Government also appealed to parents to immediately report if their children experience similar symptoms so that treatment can be carried out quickly. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service/UPI)