JAKARTA, Indonesia — Nearly 2,000 people, most of them schoolchildren, have fallen ill in a series of suspected food poisoning outbreaks linked to Indonesia’s flagship free school meals program, officials said Saturday, raising fresh concerns about food safety as the government rapidly expands the multibillion-dollar initiative nationwide.
The incidents, reported between Tuesday and Thursday across five provinces—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 program, known by its Indonesian acronym MBG (Makan Bergizi Gratis).
The outbreaks are the latest setback for President Prabowo Subianto’s signature Free Nutritious Meals program, which has been rolled out across the archipelago despite repeated food poisoning incidents and corruption allegations.
The largest outbreak was reported in Central Java’s Rembang regency, where 752 students and 25 teachers at State Senior High School 1 Lasem suffered diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain after eating meals provided through the program, according to Rembang Health Office head Ali Syofi’i.
In Sidoarjo, East Java, 730 people, most of them students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school, were affected in another suspected food poisoning incident linked to the program. Sidoarjo health office chief Lakhsmie Herawati Yuwantina said 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 food distribution from the local nutrition service center was suspended pending an investigation.
In Aceh’s Bener Meriah regency, 15 elementary school students and a school principal were treated after experiencing 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 developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
No deaths have been reported, and authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the program, has acknowledged that the incidents appear to be linked to failures in following food safety procedures. BGN head Sudaryono told a parliamentary hearing that internal reviews found that roughly 80% to 90% of previous food poisoning incidents were linked to failures to follow standard operating procedures, including rules governing food storage, receipt of ingredients, temperature control and consumption deadlines.
In the Sidoarjo case, preliminary investigations revealed that food was prepared at 5:00 a.m. and should have been consumed before 9:00 a.m., but it was delivered after 11:00 a.m. and consumed after noon, leading to the mass poisoning. Sudaryono described this as “willful negligence” and said the SPPG (Nutrition Service Provider Unit) facility in Kalitengah, Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, has been suspended for 30 days.
“The recent incidents in Sidoarjo, Agam, Rembang and other areas have been a major blow for us,” Sudaryono said.
Several cases have now been elevated to the investigation stage by police, with BGN leaving the legal process entirely to law enforcement to determine whether criminal elements exist.
The Free Nutritious Meals program, known by its Indonesian acronym MBG, is a cornerstone of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration and one of his key campaign promises. Launched in January 2025, the initiative aims to combat malnutrition and reduce childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers and pregnant women.
The program is expected to cost about $28 billion through 2029. It has been rolled out across Indonesia’s archipelago despite repeated food poisoning incidents and corruption allegations.
The latest incidents add to a growing number of food poisoning cases linked to the program. According to Health Ministry surveillance data as of September 2, food poisoning incidents associated with MBG have affected 50,059 people in 560 cases across 245 districts and cities in 36 provinces.
The BGN has tightened oversight of meal providers and is reviewing about 27,000 meal distribution centers nationwide. Inspectors have found hundreds of allegedly fictitious facilities, while at least 833 kitchens have been shut down for failing to meet hygiene and sanitation standards.
In June, the former head of the program, Dadan Hindayana, was arrested by the Attorney General’s Office following an investigation into alleged corruption. The program has also faced calls for its complete scrapping, with protesters taking to the streets of Jakarta last week.
Ubaid Matraji, a researcher at the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network, told Tempo: “This has become a national alarm. The government cannot continue to treat them as mere statistical figures. Behind every number there is a sick child, a panicked family, and the state’s failure to guarantee safe food.”
The BGN has pledged to overhaul the program’s management and strengthen food safety oversight. Sudaryono said the agency would take strict action against kitchen operators that violate safety procedures, including possible criminal charges.
“Starting today, I am mandating a label on every single food container. I accept no excuses. Every container must carry a label. And the label must be filled in with the accurate time,” Sudaryono said.
The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has received an additional Rp 509 billion to strengthen food safety oversight of the MBG program. BPOM is currently testing food samples from several affected locations.
Several regional governors have called for problematic MBG kitchens to be closed until they are inspected. West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi said: “The kitchen must be closed and inspected to find where the problem is. This should not happen.”
Nearly 2,000 people, mostly students and teachers, fell ill in suspected food poisoning outbreaks linked to Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program between Tuesday and Thursday across five provinces. Symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
Approximately 1,950 people were affected, according to officials. The largest outbreaks were in Rembang, Central Java (777 cases) and Sidoarjo, East Java (730 cases).
It is a flagship initiative launched in January 2025 by President Prabowo Subianto to combat malnutrition and stunting. The program aims to provide meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers and pregnant women, with an expected cost of about $28 billion through 2029.
MBG stands for Makan Bergizi Gratis, which is Indonesian for Free Nutritious Meals.
Yes, authorities are investigating. BGN head Sudaryono said internal reviews found 80-90% of previous poisoning incidents were linked to failures in following food safety procedures. Several cases have been elevated to police investigation stage.
The suspected food poisoning is still under investigation. Authorities have not yet definitively established the exact cause, though preliminary findings point to improper food storage, temperature control, and delayed delivery leading to food spoilage. Food samples are being tested by BPOM.
If you're approaching 40 and don't have a substantial retirement nest egg, you might be…
Bruce Campbell, the beloved horror icon best known for his role as Ash Williams in…
Natalie Portman is officially a mother of three! The Oscar-winning actress, 45, has welcomed her…
As the premiere of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 draws closer, fans are eager to see…
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. As always, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth…
The White House has launched a new website featuring arcade-style games that promote President Donald…