Thousands Ill from Contaminated Free School Meals in Indonesia
Approximately 2,000 students and teachers in Indonesia fell ill from food poisoning linked to a government free school meals program. A significant number of cases were reported at a school in Lasem, affecting both pupils and faculty.
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Over 1,700 people in Indonesia have experienced food poisoning in the last week linked to government-provided free school meals, with at least 725 pupils and 25 teachers affected at a school in Lasem. The outbreaks have been attributed to improper food storage and late delivery of meals, with one lawmaker estimating the total cases may reach as high as 50,000 since the program's inception. President Prabowo Subianto's $12.94 billion initiative, aimed at improving nutrition for millions, has faced criticism over safety, corruption, and effectiveness amid a backdrop of public protests.
Around 2,000 students and teachers in Indonesia have fallen ill with food poisoning over three days due to the government's free school meals programme, particularly affecting 777 individuals at a high school in Rembang, Central Java. In a separate incident, 730 people fell ill at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, with complaints of slimy, undercooked food leading to symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and severe stomach problems. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities testing food samples for contamination and local officials taking responsibility for the incidents, ensuring medical costs for the affected individuals are covered.