Nearly 2,000 Fall Ill in Suspected Food Poisoning Outbreaks Across Indonesia

JAKARTA — Nearly 2,000 individuals, predominantly students, fell ill this week in suspected food poisoning outbreaks connected to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals program, sparking fresh food safety concerns as the government rapidly scales up the multibillion-dollar nationwide initiative, officials reported Saturday.

The incidents, occurring between Tuesday and Thursday across East Java, Central Java, West Sumatra, Aceh, and South Sulawesi, affected approximately 1,950 students, teachers, and Islamic boarding school pupils who became sick after consuming meals distributed under the government’s MBG program.

These outbreaks represent the latest setback for Prabowo’s signature initiative, which has expanded across the archipelago despite recurring food safety incidents and corruption allegations.

The largest outbreak occurred in Central Java’s Rembang regency, where 752 students and 25 teachers at State Senior High School 1 Lasem experienced diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain after eating program-provided meals, according to Rembang Health Office head Ali Syofi’i.

In Sidoarjo, East Java, 730 people, mostly students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school, were affected in a separate suspected food poisoning incident. Sidoarjo health office chief Lakhsmie Herawati Yuwantina stated that 706 victims had been discharged and were recovering at home.

Authorities also reported 276 suspected cases involving students and teachers in Agam regency, West Sumatra, where local nutrition service center food distribution was suspended pending investigation. In Aceh’s Bener Meriah regency, 15 elementary school students and a school principal were treated for dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms following a school meal.

Another 152 students from two junior high schools in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, were treated at three hospitals after exhibiting food poisoning symptoms. Regent Zadrak Tombeq ordered hospitals and health centers to prioritize treatment for the victims.

No deaths have been reported, and authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.

The latest incidents add to a growing tally of food poisoning cases linked to the program since its January 2025 launch. Health Ministry surveillance data as of September 2 indicates that MBG-associated food poisoning has affected 50,059 people across 560 cases in 245 districts and cities in 36 provinces.

During a hearing with the House’s Commission IX on health issues, National Nutrition Agency chief Sudaryono stated that internal reviews found roughly 80% to 90% of prior food poisoning incidents resulted from failures to follow food safety procedures, including rules on storage, ingredient receipt, temperature control, and consumption deadlines.

“The recent incidents in Sidoarjo, Agam, Rembang, and other areas have been a major blow for us,” Sudaryono said, noting that he uses a single name like many Indonesians.

The free meals program aims to combat malnutrition and reduce childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers, and pregnant women. Expected to cost approximately $28 billion through 2029, the initiative is a cornerstone of Prabowo’s administration and one of his key campaign promises.

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