Sukabumi. At least 133 students at Baiti Jannati Islamic boarding school in Sukabumi, West Java, were taken to hospitals after suffering dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting in a suspected food poisoning incident linked to meals provided under the government's free nutritious meals program.

The students began reporting symptoms after consuming meals distributed through the program on Aug. 14, with the number of those falling ill subsequently increasing the next day.

A female teacher also developed similar symptoms, according to Faid Fauzan, an official at the Islamic boarding school.

"We initially took several children who were vomiting to the nearest community health center, and they were then advised to go to Al-Mulk Regional Hospital," Faid told reporters on Sunday.

"As the number continued to increase, Al-Mulk Hospital recommended that some of them be referred to Syamsudin Regional Hospital," he added.

The affected students and teacher received treatment at several healthcare facilities, while school administrators said their immediate priority was the recovery of those who had fallen ill.

The school has asked the Sukabumi Health Agency to conduct a comprehensive investigation and provide guidance on food handling under the government's free nutritious meals program.

Health officials have launched an epidemiological investigation to determine what caused the illnesses.

Sukabumi Health Agency Head Ida Halimah said investigators had collected food samples as well as samples of students' vomit for laboratory testing.

"We are conducting further laboratory tests to determine what bacteria may have caused these symptoms," Ida said.

Some samples have also been sent to the West Java provincial health laboratory. The testing process is expected to take about a week before authorities can determine the cause of the suspected poisoning.

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