PT Jombang Pangan Nusantara plant causes illness at local school

Activities at the PT Jombang Pangan Nusantara (JPN) chicken processing plant have caused significant disruption at SMPN 4 Jombang due to a strong, pungent odor. The smell reportedly caused several students to experience nausea and vomiting, prompting the school to temporarily suspend in-person learning and switch to online classes to prioritize student health.

In addition to the odor, school officials reported suspected liquid waste leakage from the facility into public drainage systems, potentially caused by sanitation channels clogged with fat and debris. Observations suggested that chicken washing was being conducted in areas designated only for packaging.

Environmental activists from Perhimpunan Mitra Bumi have called on the Jombang Regency Government to review the company’s permits, citing concerns over its proximity to educational institutions, inadequate wastewater treatment facilities, and a lack of community socialization.

The owners of PT JPN have met with school officials to apologize, admitting to worker negligence regarding washing locations. The company stated they have deployed waste suction trucks to clear tanks, applied odor-neutralizing liquids, and committed to moving chicken washing activities to a different location.