More than 1,700 students and teachers in Indonesia have reportedly suffered suspected food poisoning after consuming meals provided under the government’s free meal programme, with 777 people affected in the latest incident in Central Java.
A school principal in Lasem, on Thursday September 3, said 752 students and 25 teachers developed symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting after eating meals containing grilled chicken. She said some of the chicken had been found to be “slimy” before distribution and was removed, while 15 of those affected were later hospitalised.
The latest incident followed three other cases reported earlier in the week involving about 950 people. These included 664 students in Sidoarjo, 49 people in another incident in East Java and 237 people in West Sumatra, according to local officials and lawmakers.
President Prabowo Subianto launched the multibillion-dollar programme to improve nutrition for millions of children, but it has faced repeated food-safety concerns and allegations of corruption. Lawmaker Charles Honoris described the latest incidents as a systemic failure and called for stronger measures to prevent further cases.
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