Indonesia’s Free School Meals Program Under Fire After Thousands Fall Ill
Indonesia’s flagship free school meals program is facing mounting criticism and calls for suspension after thousands of children fell ill across several regions, raising questions about food safety and government oversight.
According to Arab News, more than 1,300 students in West Bandung, West Java, were treated for breathing difficulties, nausea, and diarrhea after consuming meals distributed under the government scheme. Local health officials confirmed that several children were hospitalized, though no fatalities were reported.
The initiative, launched by President Prabowo Subianto earlier this year, aims to tackle child malnutrition by providing free daily meals to schoolchildren nationwide. However, Arab News noted that the rapid expansion of the program—growing from 1,000 to more than 9,600 kitchens and serving over 31 million people within months—has exposed serious weaknesses in food hygiene and operational training.
In response to the outbreak, authorities suspended dozens of kitchens, while investigations revealed that contamination stemmed from poor-quality raw materials, unsafe water, and inadequate handling procedures in newly opened facilities, Arab News reported. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) confirmed that 56 kitchens were shut down following inspection.
Despite the public health alarm, President Prabowo defended the program, claiming that the reported cases represent “only 0.00017 percent” of all meals served. He instructed all kitchens to implement mandatory food testing before distribution to prevent future incidents.
The government has budgeted 71 trillion rupiah (about USD 4.2 billion) for the program in 2025, allocating roughly 62 cents per meal, and has announced plans to add 28 trillion rupiah more to strengthen safety and logistics. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the additional funds would support stricter quality control and staff training.
However, civil-society groups and economists have urged a temporary suspension until proper safeguards are in place. Development analyst Izzudin Al Farras told Arab News that the situation is “urgent,” warning that continuing the program without reform “could lead to more victims.”
The controversy comes as Indonesia struggles with a high child-stunting rate exceeding 20 percent, making food-nutrition initiatives politically and socially sensitive. Critics argue that while the free-meals policy addresses a pressing national need, its fast-tracked rollout has outpaced safety and inspection capacity.
The government has pledged to review all procedures, but for many parents, trust in the program—and in its promise of a healthier future for Indonesia’s children—has already been shaken.
