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View all search resultsHundreds fall ill after eating govt provided meals, as Prabowo downplays concerns
As of Sunday, education watchdog the Network for Education Watch Indonesia (JPPI) had recorded some 13,168 students having experienced ill effects. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, recorded almost 11,660 victims as of Oct.5.
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Food poisoning concern: Protesters hold placards outside the National Nutrition Agency building during a rally on Oct. 15, 2025, demanding an end to the government’s free nutritious meals (MBG) program, following food poisoning in Jakarta schools. Food poisoning cases related to the MBG program have continued despite government claims to be implementing more safeguards. (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
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undreds of students in Maluku and North Sumatra have reportedly suffered from food poisoning after consuming meals provided through the government's free nutritious meal program, as President Prabowo Subianto continues to downplay mounting concerns over the initiative’s food safety standards.
At least 170 students from fours schools in Kiratu subdistrict, West Seram Regency in Maluku suffered from food poisoning after consuming government-supplied meals of rice, eggs, tofu and vegetables on Monday.
Local officials said the affected students ranged from kindergarten to high school and experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Kasrurdin, head of Talaga Ratu village, where most of the affected schools are located, said several students exhibited severe symptoms such as bluish facial discoloration after consuming the meals.
“Some students even vomited blood, and others had foam coming from their mouths,” he said on Monday, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Because of the overwhelming number of cases, the local Kiratu Community Health Center (Puskesmas) was forced to set up a temporary treatment area using military tents and foldout beds, as the existing facilities were insufficient to accommodate the sick students.
In response to the incident, the West Seram Regency Administration has suspended all free meal kitchens in the region pending further investigation.
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