Nearly 2,000 fall ill in suspected food poisoning linked to Indonesia's
free school meals program
[September 05, 2026]
By NINIEK KARMINI
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Nearly 2,000 people, most of them students,
fell ill in suspected food poisoning outbreaks linked to President
Prabowo Subianto ’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals program this week,
raising fresh concerns about food safety as the government rapidly
expands the multibillion-dollar initiative nationwide, officials said
Saturday.
The incidents, reported between Tuesday and Thursday in East Java,
Central Java, West Sumatra, Aceh and South Sulawesi, affected about
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.
The outbreaks are the latest setback for Prabowo’s signature free 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. Regent Zadrak Tombeq ordered hospitals
and health centers to prioritize treatment for the victims.
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 No deaths have been reported, and
authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.
The latest incidents add to a growing number of food poisoning cases
linked to the program since its launch in January 2025. According to
Health Ministry surveillance data as of Sept. 2, food poisoning
incidents associated with MBG have affected 50,059 people in 560
cases across 245 districts and cities in 36 provinces.
In a hearing with the House's Commission IX overseeing health
issues, National Nutrition Agency chief Sudaryono said internal
reviews found that roughly 80% to 90% of previous food poisoning
incidents were linked to failures to follow food safety procedures,
including rules governing food storage, receipt of ingredients,
temperature control and consumption deadlines.
“The recent incidents in Sidoarjo, Agam, Rembang and other areas
have been a major blow for us,” said Sudaryono, who like many
Indonesians uses a single name.
He said the agency was tightening oversight of meal providers and
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.
The free meals program aims to combat malnutrition and reduce
childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students,
toddlers and pregnant women. The initiative, expected to cost about
$28 billion through 2029, is a cornerstone of Prabowo’s
administration and one of his key campaign promises.
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