More than 360 people got sick in Sragen, Central Java, after eating lunch provided by a government program. This incident is the largest food poisoning case linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s school meal initiative, which began in January. So far, this program has caused illness in over 1,000 individuals across Indonesia.
Sragen’s government chief, Sigit Pamungkas, reported that the food is being tested for safety. He also assured that any medical costs would be covered for those affected.
One local student shared a troubling experience. He woke up at night with sharp stomach pain, a headache, and diarrhea. He quickly learned that several classmates had similar issues, posting about their symptoms online.
The meal in question included turmeric rice, omelette, fried tempeh, salad, sliced apples, and a box of milk. This food was prepared in a central kitchen and served to several schools. In response to this recent incident, the government has temporarily halted food distribution from that kitchen until test results come back.
Dadan Hindayana, head of the national nutrition agency, said they are tightening standards for kitchen operations and food delivery after previous poisoning cases. This initiative is crucial for the government, which aims to provide free meals to improve nutrition and support economic growth.
Currently, the program serves around 15 million students, with plans to reach 83 million by the end of the year. The budget for this year is approximately 171 trillion rupiah ($10.62 billion). January saw the opening of over 190 kitchens, many operated by military units.
In a similar incident earlier this year, over 200 students in West Java fell ill due to Salmonella and E. coli contamination in their food. Such cases highlight the serious need for strict food safety measures, especially when serving millions of children.
As this situation unfolds, parents and officials alike are anxious to see how the government addresses these health risks and ensures the safety of its school meals.
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