Indonesia’s free school‑meal program has been linked to a wave of food‑poisoning cases affecting over 1,700 people in a three‑day period. Health officials recorded 777 students and teachers in Central Java reporting diarrhea and vomiting, with the majority of cases concentrated at a high school in Lasem, where 752 pupils and 25 teachers fell ill. Fifteen of those patients were hospitalized while the rest were sent home.
Separate incidents in three other locations added 950 more cases, bringing the total to the reported figure. The national nutrition initiative, launched by President Prabowo Subianto and valued at US$12.94 billion, aims to improve child nutrition but has been plagued by repeated outbreaks.
Investigators noted that the Lasem meals were prepared at 3:00 a.m. and served at noon. A food taster flagged viscous pieces of grilled chicken before distribution, and local doctor Joko Paryanto attributed the illnesses to improper food storage and delays in delivery. The school principal, Juhartutik, confirmed the preparation timeline and said the viscous portions had been removed.
Sudaryono, head of the National Nutrition Agency overseeing the program, told parliament the incidents would be handled "with seriousness" and promised a review of food‑handling procedures. The agency faces ongoing criticism over alleged corruption and management challenges as it seeks to safeguard the health of millions of schoolchildren.
