TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Bogor declares health emergency after mass food poisoning linked to free meal program
A total of 171 students and teachers from nine schools in Bogor, West Java, reported symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever, after consuming packaged meals consisting of sunny-side-up eggs, stir-fried tofu, bean sprouts and bananas. Subsequent investigations revealed that the eggs and stir-fried vegetables were contaminated with harmful E. coli and Salmonella bacteria.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
A worker prepares meal packages for the free nutritious meal program at the kitchen of an Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in Kudus regency, Central Java, on Feb. 12. The free meal program was kicked off on Jan. 13, with the first phase targeting more than 3,200 recipients in 17 schools across Kudus regency. (Antara/Yusuf Nugroho)
T
he Bogor administration in West Java has declared a health emergency after hundreds of students suffered food poisoning from meals provided under the government's free meal initiative, marking the second such emergency since the program's launch in January.
Bogor Mayor Didie Rachim stated that the decision was made in response to a growing number of students exhibiting symptoms since May 7, when the first cases of mass poisoning were reported.
"We have declared a health emergency and are working in coordination with the National Nutrition Agency to address the situation," he said on Sunday, as reported by Kompas.com.
"Our efforts include treating the affected individuals, implementing preventive measures and conducting an epidemiological investigation. Despite the food poisoning incident, we want students to continue feeling safe, happy and comfortable receiving the free meals provided by the government, without fear or hesitation." Didie added.
On May 7, a total of 171 students and teachers from nine schools in Bogor, West Java, reported symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever, after consuming packaged meals consisting of sunny-side-up eggs, stir-fried tofu, bean sprouts and bananas.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the eggs and stir-fried vegetables were contaminated with harmful E. coli and Salmonella bacteria.
The affected schools include Bina Insani Kindergarten, Bina Insani Elementary School, Bina Insani Junior High School, SMP Bina Graha Junior High School, SDN Kukupu 3 Elementary School, SDN Kedung Jaya 1 and SDN Kedung Jaya 2. These schools reportedly received meals that were prepared and distributed by the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) of Bosowa Bina Insani.
