Indonesia Tightens Checks After 700 Students Fall Ill From School Meals
Indonesia is increasing food safety checks after nearly 700 schoolchildren became sick from free school meals in Yogyakarta this week. The students were part of President Prabowo Subianto’s new nationwide free-meal programme, created to improve child nutrition and tackle hunger.
Sudden Illness Triggers Alarm
The children reported nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting shortly after eating lunch provided under the scheme. Health teams immediately responded, and local kitchens supplying the meals were temporarily shut down for inspection.
Although most students recovered quickly, parents and teachers expressed concern about the programme’s food quality and handling.
Programme Faces Growing Scrutiny
The initiative aims to feed millions of students daily, especially in poor areas. However, this is not the first incident. Local rights groups say thousands of students have fallen ill since the programme began, prompting calls for stronger monitoring and hygiene standards.
Officials say transportation delays and poor storage conditions may be partly to blame, especially in rural areas where refrigeration and logistics systems are limited.
Government Response
The government says it will continue the programme but promises stricter controls. Kitchens must now:
- Improve food handling and hygiene
- Shorten delivery times
- Test ingredients more carefully
A national task force has been formed to track future complaints and raise food-safety training for meal providers.
Why It Matters
Indonesia’s free-meal initiative is one of the largest in the world. Supporters say it can reduce hunger and improve school attendance, but experts warn success depends on safe and consistent food standards.
Despite recent setbacks, health officials emphasise that the programme is essential and will continue with more oversight.
“We cannot stop now,” one government spokesperson said. “We will fix the issues and protect our students.”
