Over 1,000 Children Fall Ill in Indonesia Amid Free School Lunch Poisoning Crisis
- More than 1,000 children in Indonesia have fallen ill this week after consuming free school lunches, sparking renewed scrutiny of President Prabowo Subianto’s $28bn nutritious meals programme
- The outbreak in West Java’s Cipongkor district is the latest in a series of mass food poisoning incidents that have affected thousands of students nationwide
- Despite mounting health concerns and calls for suspension, government officials insist the programme will continue
More than 1,000 children in Indonesia have reportedly fallen ill this week after consuming free school lunches, marking the latest in a series of mass food poisoning incidents tied to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship nutritious meals programme.
According to Yuyun Sarihotima, head of West Java’s Cipongkor Community Health Center, the number of victims recorded between Monday and Wednesday had reached 1,074.
Source: Getty Images
The outbreak follows similar cases last week, when 800 students in West Java and Central Sulawesi provinces were affected.
Cipongkor declared “extraordinary event” after surge in cases
Cipongkor, a district in West Java, has emerged as the epicentre of this week’s crisis. The first suspected case was reported on Monday, with 475 students falling ill.
By Wednesday, another 500 children were affected after consuming meals that included soy sauce chicken, fried tofu, vegetables, and fruit.
West Bandung regent Jeje Ritchie Ismail described the situation as “an extraordinary event so that handling can be faster and more comprehensive.” Victims reportedly suffered from stomach aches, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath, the latter being an unusual symptom for food poisoning.
Technical error blamed as SPPG operations suspended
Dadan Hindayana, head of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency, stated that the Cipongkor outbreak was caused by a technical error from the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG). The agency confirmed that SPPG’s operations in the region have since been suspended.
Past incidents have been linked to expired sauce and, in one case, the serving of fried shark. Authorities have previously cited negligent food preparation as a suspected cause.
NGOs demand suspension of Prabowo’s $28bn school meals scheme
President Prabowo Subianto has championed the nutritious meals programme, which aims to provide free lunches to 80 million schoolchildren.
Launched in January, the initiative has reached 550,000 students across 26 provinces and was a centrepiece of Prabowo’s presidential campaign to combat child stunting.
Despite its ambition, the programme has drawn criticism over food safety and cost. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) reported 6,452 poisoning cases as of 21 September, surpassing the 4,711 cases logged by the National Narcotics Agency (BGN).
JPPI’s National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji said:
“This abnormal situation should require the government to declare an outbreak and temporarily halt the programme for a thorough evaluation.”
However, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar stated on Wednesday that “there are no plans to stop it.”
Source: Getty Images
Cost and corruption concerns mount
Indonesia has allocated over $10bn for the programme this year, making it the most expensive of its kind globally. In comparison, India spends $1.5bn annually to feed 120 million children, while Brazil’s programme serves 40 million students at a similar cost.
Experts have raised alarms over the potential for misuse. Muhammad Rafi Bakri, a research analyst at Indonesia’s audit board, warned that “given the sheer size of the budget, this programme is a goldmine for corrupt officials.”
While defenders argue the initiative is secured in the 2026 State Budget, critics have proposed alternative models, such as direct funding to parents for meal preparation, a suggestion previously rejected by the BGN.
Mixed public response to Prabowo’s populist policies
Since taking office last October, Prabowo has rolled out several populist policies, including free medical check-ups and housing schemes. These efforts have bolstered his approval ratings, which stood at 80% after his first 100 days in power.
Yet, Maria Monica Wihardja, a visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told the BBC that while the programme is “well-intentioned,” there is “no evidence” of “widespread urgency” for free school meals. A 2024 national survey found that less than 1% of households had gone a day without food in the past year.
Five siblings die of suspected food poisoning
Legit.ng earlier reported that five siblings have reportedly died of suspected food poisoning, and their mother is in a critical condition in Ogidi, Idemili North local government area.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, May 3, threw the family and the entire community into mourning, with relatives and neighbours seen consoling the bereaved.
Source: Legit.ng
