Shocking Mass Food Poisoning in Indonesia: What You Need to Know About the Government’s Free Meal Programme

What started as a hopeful initiative to improve nutrition in Indonesia has turned into a troubling crisis. The Free Nutritious Meals program, or Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), launched by President Prabowo Subianto, aimed to provide healthy meals to schoolchildren, pregnant women, and the elderly. With a hefty budget, it was supposed to be a landmark project for public health.

However, just nine months in, the program is facing serious backlash. Reports show that thousands of children and several teachers fell ill after consuming these meals, raising questions about the program’s safety and management.

Alarming Poisoning Cases

The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) revealed that by the end of September 2025, over 6,400 suspected poisoning cases were documented. The government agencies report lower figures, with around 5,000 cases. Recent data shows that between mid-August and mid-September alone, nearly 1,000 students needed hospital care for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and rashes.

These incidents occurred in various regions, with West Java being the hardest hit, followed by Yogyakarta and Central Java. Ubaid Matraji from JPPI highlighted that cases decreased during school holidays but surged again when classes resumed. “The faster MBG meals were distributed, the more cases we saw,” he noted during a recent hearing.

Monthly Breakdown of Illness

Here’s a summary of reported cases month-by-month:

• January: 10 pupils in Central Java experienced stomach issues.
• February: 29 pupils in East Nusa Tenggara were treated for mild poisoning.
• April: 53 meal boxes in Southeast Sulawesi were found unsafe, with 176 people in West Java falling ill.
• May: 210 children in Bogor showed poisoning symptoms.
• August: 427 students in Bengkulu became sick after eating MBG meals.
• September: Notable outbreaks occurred in Central Sulawesi and West Java.

Government’s Response

Despite mounting pressure from civil society groups to pause the program, the government remains steadfast. Dadan Hindayana, chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), acknowledged the concerns but insisted the number of issues was small compared to the total meals served. He emphasized that the program’s benefits outweigh its shortcomings.

Though the government has promised to enhance monitoring—by closing problematic kitchens and requiring better standards for meal preparation—questions about accountability linger. Policy analyst Agus Pambagio argued that a full audit is necessary, warning against potential corruption in a program intended to nurture future generations.

Challenges in Meal Delivery

According to reports, meals are prepared in local kitchens and distributed to schools during breaks. However, the recent cases of poisoning hint at weaknesses in ingredient sourcing and meal handling.

Moreover, discrepancies in reported figures regarding illness cases raise concerns about transparency. Different agencies report conflicting numbers, which only fuels public distrust in the program.

A Long Road Ahead

These incidents underscore significant flaws in the execution of the program. While the government asserts that MBG is vital for Indonesia’s long-term development, parents are understandably worried about the present health of their children. Critics argue that health experts should lead such programs, not retired military officials.

The real question remains: who truly benefits from MBG? Victims often come from low-income families reliant on the program for essential meals, making the failures even more devastating.

In light of these challenges, Dadan Hindayana viewed the poisoning incidents as “reasonable.” Yet, any case of food poisoning in vulnerable children is alarming. Ensuring children’s health should take precedence over any political agenda. A thorough review of the MBG program is essential to ensure it serves its intended purpose without endangering the lives of those it aims to help.

For reference on food nutrition standards and guidelines, you can visit the World Health Organization.

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bno, Indonesia, free meal, education