Over 1,300 Children Hospitalized in Indonesia's Free School Meal Program Food Poisoning Crisis
Over 1,300 children were hospitalised due to food poisoning from Indonesia's free school meal program. The National Nutrition Agency suspended 56 kitchens following the incidents, which affected thousands of students in West Bandung. Non-profit groups are now calling for the program's shutdown due to the high number of cases and potential risks.
The government launched the program to tackle child malnutrition, with stunting affecting over 20 percent of Indonesian children. It aimed to serve nearly 83 million people by 2029, but rapid expansion has led to issues with inexperienced cooks and operational standards in new kitchens. The government allocated 62 cents per meal and set a budget of 71 trillion rupiah ($4.2 billion) for 2025.
Since its January inception, the program has resulted in over 6,400 food poisoning cases. Symptoms included breathing difficulties, nausea, and diarrhea. Arya Fernandes, a researcher from the Institute for Development Economics, criticised the program and called for its shutdown to prevent further issues.
The government's free school meal program, intended to combat child malnutrition, has faced significant challenges due to rapid expansion. With over 6,400 people affected by food poisoning, non-profit groups are urging the program's shutdown. The government and relevant agencies must address operational issues and ensure food safety to protect the children they aim to help.
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