Over 1,000 Children Sick from Free School Lunches in Indonesia
More than 1,000 children in Indonesia fell ill this week after eating free school lunches, another alarming outbreak linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s multi-billion-dollar nutritious meals programme.
Health officials say at least 1,074 cases were recorded between Monday and Wednesday in West Java, just days after 800 children were poisoned in other provinces. Affected children complained of stomach aches, dizziness, nausea, and even shortness of breath.
Since January, more than 4,700 cases of food poisoning have been officially recorded, while NGOs put the figure closer to 6,400. Investigations point to negligent food preparation, expired ingredients, and poor oversight as recurring causes.
Despite mounting pressure from civil society groups to suspend the programme and review its operations, government ministers have insisted it will continue.
Critics argue that with a $28 billion budget, the most expensive school meals scheme in the world, food safety and accountability cannot be compromised. Some warn the project risks becoming a breeding ground for corruption rather than a solution to child malnutrition.
The free meals initiative was meant to tackle stunting and support learning, but it is now overshadowed by protests and fear. For parents, the promise of nourishment has instead become a source of anxiety about whether school lunches are safe.
Every child has the right to adequate, safe, and nutritious food. Protecting children’s health must come first. Until safety is guaranteed, Indonesia’s school lunch programme risks failing the very children it was created to serve.
