Nearly 2,000 fall ill in suspected food poisoning linked to Indonesia’s free school meals program
Summary
Nearly 2,000 students, teachers, and school staff in Indonesia fell sick from suspected food poisoning after eating free meals provided under President Prabowo Subianto’s government program. The incidents happened in several provinces, including East Java and Central Java, and officials are investigating the causes.Key Facts
- About 1,950 people, mostly students, fell ill between Tuesday and Thursday in five Indonesian provinces.
- The free meals program is called MBG (Free Nutritious Meals) and started in January 2025.
- The largest outbreak was in Central Java’s Rembang regency, affecting 777 people at one high school.
- Another major outbreak sickened 730 people at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java.
- Symptoms included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and stomach pain.
- Food safety issues, such as poor food storage and temperature control, are suspected causes.
- The program has faced many food poisoning cases and corruption accusations since it began.
- No deaths have been reported, and health authorities are continuing investigations.
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