2K Fall Ill After Eating Free School Meals

Key Points:

• Multiple food poisoning outbreaks have occurred across Indonesia linked to Prabowo's free-meals program, affecting thousands of students and teachers in various regions including Central Java, East Java, West Sumatra, Aceh, and South Sulawesi.
• The largest outbreak in Rembang, Central Java, affected 777 individuals with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, while other regions reported similar incidents leading to suspensions and ongoing investigations.
• Since the program's launch in January 2025, over 50,000 people in 560 cases across 245 districts and cities have been affected by food poisoning related to the initiative.
• The free meals program, costing approximately $28 billion through 2029, aims to address malnutrition and childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers, and pregnant women.
• Despite its scale and goals, the program has faced repeated food safety issues and corruption allegations, posing significant challenges to its implementation and public trust.