Over 1,000 Indonesian children fall ill after eating free school lunch

More than 1,100 children in Indonesia fell ill this week after consuming free school lunches, marking the latest episode of food poisoning linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s multibillion-dollar nutrition programme, reports BBC.

According to health officials in West Java, the children developed symptoms ranging from stomach pain and vomiting to dizziness and breathing difficulties. Similar incidents last week in West Java and Central Sulawesi affected nearly 800 students.

The $28 billion initiative—one of the world’s costliest—aims to provide free lunches to 80 million schoolchildren as part of efforts to combat stunting.

However, recurring mass poisonings have triggered criticism and calls for reform, with NGOs urging funds to be redirected directly to parents for safer food preparation.

Authorities have linked the outbreaks to poorly handled or expired food, including soy-sauce chicken, fried tofu, and vegetables. Since January, official records cite 4,711 poisoning cases, though independent monitors claim the number exceeds 6,400.

Despite mounting concerns, the government insists the programme will continue, calling recent incidents “isolated.” President Prabowo, who launched the initiative as a flagship electoral promise, continues to enjoy strong public support, with approval ratings reaching 80 percent within his first 100 days in office.