Nearly 2,000 people fall ill after school lunches in Indonesia: food poisoning suspected
In Indonesia, about 1,950 students, teachers and pupils at Islamic boarding schools fell ill as a result of suspected food poisoning from meals distributed under the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. The cases were recorded between Tuesday and Thursday in the provinces of East and Central Java, West Sumatra, Aceh and South Sulawesi, ABC News Australia reports.
Largest outbreaks
The highest number of cases was registered in Rembang Regency in Central Java. There, 752 students and 25 teachers at State Senior High School No. 1 in Lasem complained of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain after consuming meals provided under the program. This was stated by Rembang Health Office head Ali Syofii.
In Sidoarjo, East Java, 730 people fell ill in another suspected program-related incident, mostly students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school. According to Lahsmi Herawati Yuwantini, head of the local health office, 706 affected people have already been discharged and are recovering at home.
In Agam Regency in West Sumatra, 276 suspected cases were reported among students and teachers. Food distribution by the local food center was suspended during the investigation. In Bener Meriah Regency in Aceh, medical assistance was provided to 15 primary school students and a principal who experienced dizziness, nausea and other symptoms after a school lunch. In Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, 152 students from two junior secondary schools were treated at three hospitals after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
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Program inspections
No deaths have been reported. Authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.
The Free Nutritious Meals program is one of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s key initiatives. It began in January 2025 and is intended to provide meals to nearly 90 million schoolchildren, toddlers and pregnant women. Its goal is to combat malnutrition and reduce the prevalence of stunting among children.
According to the Health Ministry’s surveillance system as of September 2, MBG-related food poisoning cases affected 50,059 people in 560 incidents across 245 regencies and cities in 36 provinces. Sudaryono, head of the National Nutrition Agency, said internal inspections linked approximately 80–90% of previous cases to non-compliance with food safety rules, including requirements for food storage, temperature control and consumption deadlines. The agency is strengthening oversight of suppliers and inspecting about 27,000 food distribution centers.
Inspectors found hundreds of allegedly fictitious facilities, while at least 833 kitchens were closed for failing to meet hygiene and sanitary standards. In June, the Attorney General’s Office detained former program head Dadan Hindayana as part of an investigation into suspected corruption.
