Jakarta. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is considering deploying food test kits at kitchens participating in the government’s free nutritious meal program following a series of mass food poisoning incidents involving schoolchildren across Indonesia, agency head Sudaryono said on Monday.

The latest incident occurred in Berastagi, North Sumatra, where hundreds of students required medical treatment after showing symptoms of food poisoning following the consumption of government-provided meals.

Sudaryono said basic checks based on the smell and taste of food were insufficient to detect potentially harmful substances.

“We are considering providing test kits at each of our kitchens,” Sudaryono said in Jakarta, without elaborating on the type of testing equipment being considered.

Around 27,000 kitchens currently participate in President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals program.

Sudaryono said some participating kitchens, particularly those operated by the police, have already adopted test kits as part of their food safety procedures.

“We are learning from the success of kitchens managed by the police that use test kits, and so far there has not been a single poisoning case there,” he said.

Sudaryono said BGN was determined to prevent further food poisoning incidents. He also urged the public not to view the incidents that have occurred as evidence that the entire Free Nutritious Meals program is problematic.

He said the agency has shut down 1,300 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or meal preparation kitchens, for failing to meet food safety standards since he took over as BGN head several weeks ago.

In addition to closing kitchens that fail to meet required standards, BGN will take firm action against agency personnel who fail to comply with established operating standards, Sudaryono said.

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