Around 2,000 fall ill in Indonesia after eating free school meals
About 2,000 students and teachers in Indonesia have reportedly suffered suspected food poisoning over the past three days after consuming meals provided under the government’s free school meals programme.
The latest incident occurred at a senior high school in Rembang, Central Java, where 777 students and teachers fell ill after eating meals supplied through the programme, according to the school’s headteacher.
The free school meals initiative, known as Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship policies and is backed by billions of dollars to improve nutrition among Indonesian schoolchildren.
However, the programme has faced growing concerns over suspected mass food poisoning incidents, as well as allegations of corruption and criticism over its huge cost.
At the school in Lasem, 752 students and 25 teachers developed symptoms after eating the meals at lunchtime on Wednesday.
Headteacher Juhartutik said many of those affected experienced diarrhoea and struggled to access the school’s limited toilet facilities.
“They had diarrhoea and took turns using the toilet,” she told BBC News Indonesia, noting that the school has only 40 toilets.
The school subsequently sent nearly 1,200 students and 95 staff members home, while several affected individuals were taken to hospital.
Juhartutik said the government had agreed to cover the medical expenses, while the local food distributor visited the school and pledged to take responsibility for the incident.
The latest suspected outbreak followed another incident on Tuesday in Sidoarjo, East Java, where 730 people reportedly became ill after eating meals provided under the MBG programme at an Islamic boarding school.
A local health official said some affected students experienced dizziness and nausea before developing stomach problems. Several required hospital treatment, with some students having to be transported in wheelchairs because they were too weak to walk.
Hundreds more people have reportedly suffered suspected food poisoning linked to the free meals programme this week, including cases involving students at several schools in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi.
Food poisoning is commonly associated with improper storage or inadequate preparation of contaminated food. Parents and teachers have reported finding slimy chicken in some meals, while other food was allegedly undercooked or had a fishy smell.
Authorities are investigating the suspected outbreaks, with food samples being analysed to determine whether contamination occurred.
Achmad Sholeh Syarifudin, head of the food distribution unit in Lasem, apologised for the incident and said he was taking full responsibility for the recovery of the affected students and teachers.
He also promised a comprehensive review of the unit’s operations following the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the head of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency said that if investigations establish negligence or criminal conduct, those responsible would face the consequences.
Source: BBC
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