Around 2,000 students and teachers across Indonesia have fallen ill with food poisoning over the past three days linked to the government’s free school meals programme.
The latest case involved 777 people in Rembang, Central Java, who became unwell after eating lunch at a local high school.
The meals were part of the multibillion‑dollar Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) scheme, President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship policy to improve child nutrition.
In Lasem, 752 students and 25 teachers reported diarrhoea and vomiting; the headteacher noted the school’s 40 toilets were overwhelmed.
The school sent almost 1,200 pupils and 95 staff home, while several were taken to hospital. The local food distributor has pledged to take responsibility and reimburse medical costs.
A preceding incident in Sidoarjo saw 730 people fall ill after eating MBG meals at an Islamic boarding school. Parents described their children as feeling dizzy, nauseous, and later suffering stomach pain. Some required hospitalisation and wheelchairs for transport.
Other affected schools include those in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, where hundreds received suspected food‑poisoning symptoms. Complaints largely cite slimy chicken, under‑cooked meat and fishy aromas.
Local authorities are testing food samples for contamination, while the Lasem food distribution head has apologised and called for a full evaluation of operations.
The National Nutrition Agency’s head warned that if negligence or criminal activity is found, the agency could not help, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
