Nearly 800 people in Indonesia have fallen ill in separate food poisoning incidents linked to the government’s free meals program.
The cases include 512 students in Sidoarjo, East Java, who reportedly fell ill this week.
Another 49 people were affected in Nganjuk, East Java, while 237 cases were reported in Agam, West Sumatra, based on data from local health departments.
A lawmaker overseeing health concerns said the incidents were not isolated cases, raising concerns over the implementation and safety of the government’s free meals program.
Launched by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto last year, the multibillion-dollar initiative aims to address malnutrition by providing free meals to millions of children across the country.
However, the program has faced criticism over several reported cases of mass food poisoning, allegations of corruption, leadership changes and its high cost, which has reached an estimated $12.94 billion.
Authorities have identified improper food storage and delays in the delivery of cooked meals as among the common factors behind food poisoning incidents.
Meanwhile, a non-government watchdog reported that around 37,600 people had been affected by food poisoning outbreaks linked to the free meals program as of August 8.
(Photo Courtesy: Reuters)
