Parents’ Accounts of Alleged MBG Poisoning in Purworejo: Children Experienced Midnight Diarrhea

PURWOREJO, KOMPAS.com – Students at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Dusun Kalipancer, Guntur Village, Bener District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java, experienced diarrhea during the night after consuming food from the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Gunawan, a parent of one of the students, recounted that his child began showing symptoms the night after receiving and eating the MBG food on Thursday (9/17/2026).

The child even woke up around 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. to use the bathroom due to diarrhea.

"Last night around 1 or 2 a.m., my child woke up. He needed to have diarrhea," Gunawan said on Sunday (9/20/2026).

According to Gunawan, his child’s condition has since improved and returned to good health.

However, the incident left him worried about giving MBG food to his child again.

He admitted being afraid that a similar episode might happen once more.

"Well, honestly it’s traumatic, Sir. He’s also afraid to eat," he said.

Gunawan said that following the incident, he asked his child to take the MBG food home and not consume it at the school first.

Demanding Accountability

Aside from his child, Gunawan mentioned that around a dozen students in his village suffered similar complaints.

From the information he received, the most common symptom experienced by the students was diarrhea.

"We demand accountability from the SPPG party, and if they refuse to take responsibility, then they shouldn’t provide MBG anymore," he stated.

Nonetheless, according to Gunawan, none of the students needed hospitalization due to their symptoms.

"As for hospitalizations, mboten wonten (there were none)," he said.

Gunawan hopes for an explanation and follow-up from the party responsible for providing the MBG meals.

Therefore, parents are requesting a meeting to discuss the incident, including steps forward regarding the MBG program’s implementation.

"We continue to demand accountability from SPPG. We want a meeting and clarification on future accountability," Gunawan added.

SPPG Response

The Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) Bener 2, Purworejo Regency, Central Java, issued an apology for the suspected poisoning incident affecting dozens of children after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu.

"We extend our deepest apologies to all beneficiaries for the incident that caused discomfort, especially relating to those who experienced health problems after eating the provided food," said Ahmad Fathul Arifin, Head of SPPG Purworejo Bener Kaliboto 2, on Sunday (9/20/2026).

Fathul stated that his team, along with medical personnel, have conducted initial handling of the affected beneficiaries.

The priority was the health condition of the recipients, including providing medical assistance as needed.

"We immediately deployed a team of doctors, prioritizing the victims’ health first," Arifin said.