Pati, C. Java. Authorities report 416 people with suspected food poisoning after receiving meals under Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program in Pati, Central Java, with 63 still hospitalized as of Friday.

The suspected mass food poisoning occurred Wednesday in Gembong district, Pati regency, Central Java, forcing hundreds of students to seek treatment at health facilities as hospital emergency rooms became crowded.

The initial reports involved students from three schools — SMP Negeri 1 Gembong, MTs Negeri 3 Pati and MTs Manbaul Ulum. Authorities later identified additional recipients from MI Miftahul, SDN 3 Gembong and Posyandu Anggrek.

The Pati Health Agency said 416 people had reported food-poisoning symptoms as of 2 p.m. Friday. The number of hospitalized patients had increased to 63, with patients being treated at Soewondo Pati Hospital, Keluarga Sehat Hospital, Mitra Bangsa Hospital and Fastabiq Sehat Hospital.

Kasini, a parent of one of the hospitalized students, said her child’s condition had improved after experiencing severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

“She is much better now. She is no longer dizzy or nauseous. In the previous days, she was so sick that she had to lie on the floor,” Kasini said, adding that her child remained under medical observation and had not yet been allowed to return home.

Kasini said she hoped her child’s school would stop receiving meals through the program because she was worried a similar incident could happen again.

Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has warned that it could permanently revoke the operating permit of an MBG kitchen found to have been negligent or to have violated food safety standards.

BGN Deputy Head Trenggono issued the warning Thursday while visiting students being treated at Keluarga Sehat Hospital in Pati.

Trenggono said the agency was investigating the performance of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit, or SPPG, responsible for preparing and distributing the meals.

The SPPG involved in the incident would be suspended while the investigation was conducted, he said. If the kitchen was found to have serious deficiencies, the suspension could become permanent.

BGN said the evaluation was part of efforts to improve the management of the nationwide MBG program. Trenggono said most MBG kitchens had been operating properly, but some operators had failed to follow required procedures, particularly those involving food hygiene and preparation.

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