Free school meals have landed over 1000 children in the hospitals. Indonesia’s free school meals program is facing major criticism after another alarming outbreak of food poisoning in West Java. Over 1,000 children fell ill this week after eating meals distributed under the scheme, highlighting urgent concerns about food safety, oversight, and program execution.
Rising Concerns Over Food Safety
According to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, four separate mass poisoning incidents were reported across the province this week. On Monday, more than 470 students in West Bandung were affected. By Wednesday, three more outbreaks, including in Sukabumi, pushed the total number of sick children to at least 580. Small hospitals were overwhelmed as students crowded emergency rooms and makeshift treatment centers.
This follows last week’s poisoning of around 800 children in West Java and Central Sulawesi. Since the program’s launch in January, over 6,400 cases of student food poisoning have been documented nationwide, according to the Network for Education Watch.
Program Under Evaluation: Free School Meals land Over 1000 Students in hospitals
President Prabowo’s free nutritious meals program currently serves more than 20 million recipients, with a goal of feeding 83 million people by the end of the year. However, the rapid expansion of the scheme has raised concerns about quality control.
Governor Mulyadi stressed the need for urgent evaluation. He explained that some kitchens were located far from schools, forcing staff to start cooking the night before. This practice caused meals to spoil before lunchtime. “The most important thing now is dealing with students’ trauma after eating the food,” he added.
Official Response
The head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, confirmed that kitchens linked to outbreaks have been suspended. Prabowo’s office, however, has not yet issued a statement.
Meanwhile, disturbing images broadcast by Kompas TV showed students lying on floors, receiving IV drips, and ambulances rushing in and out of local halls converted into treatment centers.
What Lies Ahead
The free meals program has a massive budget of 171 trillion rupiah ($10.22 billion), set to double next year. But unless urgent reforms are introduced to improve food storage, handling, and supervision, critics warn that the program’s reputation—and its intended benefits—could be undermined.
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