National Nutrition Agency sacks kitchen chief after dozens fall ill in Rembang school

Following a suspected food-poisoning episode at State Senior High School 1 in Rembang, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) removed the head of the free-meal kitchen and installed a replacement. Deputy Ketet Sumedana announced a 30-day suspension of the Magersari 2 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit while investigations continue. Over a hundred students and several teachers experienced diarrhea and nausea after consuming a meal of rice, corn fritters and Balinese-style meatballs on September 24.

Laboratory results on the food have not yet been released, and BGN is tracking the health of all affected individuals until they are cleared. The agency also noted a related outbreak in Batang, where inspections uncovered possible breaches of standard operating procedures, including improper egg handling and sanitation issues. Authorities stress that the cause remains undetermined pending a full review of the entire food-handling chain.