New BGN Chief Faces Fresh Mass Food Poisoning Case Nine Days Into Role
The new head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency is addressing a mass food poisoning incident affecting over 700 students in Semarang. Preliminary investigations suggest issues with food ingredient quality and improper meal preparation timing.
Why it matters
The incident highlights significant operational challenges and safety concerns for a flagship government social program aimed at providing free nutritious meals to students.
August 2, 2026 | 12:29 pm SHARE URL berhasil di salin. National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Sudaryono, right, visits a hospital in Semarang where several students are being treated for food poisoning related to the agency's free nutritious meal program, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (Courtesy of BGN) Semarang. Sudaryono, the newly appointed head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), is confronting a mass food poisoning incident linked to the government's Free Nutritious Meals program just nine days after taking office, as authorities investigate the latest setback for one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship initiatives.
More than 700 students and teachers at a public vocational school in Semarang were affected on Friday, with a number requiring hospital treatment.
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