Gov’t to Tighten Food Safety After Sukoharjo School Meal Poisoning
Jakarta. Presidential spokesman Hasan Nasbi recently called for tighter food safety policies after tens of students got food poisoning during a free meal rollout in Sukoharjo, Central Java.
President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal program has entered its second week.
The program, however, hit a snag when 40 elementary school students in Sukoharjo felt nauseous and vomited after consuming a marinated chicken meal on Thursday morning. Hasan said that he had spoken with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) -- which is in charge of overseeing the free meal rollout -- after the incident.
“Forty kids who ate the chicken dish felt nauseous and vomited. But they have already received treatment at the local clinics. Their health has improved,” Hasan said on Thursday.
He added: “But this incident is important for us to really tighten the standard operating procedures, including making sure the quality and hygiene of the food served.”
According to Hasan, every school involved in the free meal program must immediately report to the public kitchen in charge of preparing the meals and the local clinics in case of such incidents. The kids should also immediately get meal replacements with an alternative dish to prevent further food poisoning. In Sukoharjo’s case, the school immediately pulled the chicken dish out of the menu and replaced it with eggs.
BGN has blamed the Sukoharjo food poisoning on “a technical error” when the public kitchen made the chicken dish. The local health department is currently inspecting the food sample from the Sukoharjo public kitchen. BGN has instructed public kitchens involved in the school feeding program to keep samples of their food for 48 hours.
The free meal program is one of Prabowo's key campaign promises. The retired army general intends to feed Indonesian schoolkids as well as expectant mothers government-aided nutritious meals to bring down the national stunting rate. The program aims to reach 82.9 million individuals by 2029. The government has set up hundreds of public kitchens to prepare the meals and is also working with local small enterprises to supply the ingredients.
as a preferred
Related Articles
Big Spending, Limited Revenue: Economists Question Prabowo’s Economic Strategy
Prabowo’s flagship programs face scrutiny as rising spending, weak job creation and deindustrialization threaten Indonesia’s growth.
Little Economic Progress, Tight Budgets Cloud Prabowo’s Second Year
UGM economists say Indonesia has seen little economic improvement under Prabowo, warning of fiscal risks in flagship programs.
276 Fall Ill in Suspected Free Meal Food Poisoning in Central Java
At least 276 people fell ill in suspected food poisoning linked to free government meals in Batang.
Indonesia Spends Almost $7.6 Billion on Free School Lunch
By August 31, Indonesia spent around Rp 134.2 trillion or almost $7.6 billion to keep the program running.
BPOM’s Rp 1.2 Trillion MBG Budget Request Cut to Rp 509 Billion
BPOM will rely on random food sample testing to monitor the MBG program in 2027 after lawmakers cut its Rp 1.2 trillion budget request.
MBG Food Poisoning in Pati: 416 Affected, 63 Hospitalized
Food poisoning symptoms affect 416 MBG recipients in Pati, with 63 hospitalized as authorities investigate the cause.
256 Students Affected by Suspected Free Meal Poisoning
Several Karo students remain under treatment weeks after 256 students fell ill in a suspected free nutritious meal poisoning incident.
Widespread Food Poisoning Cases Hit Indonesia’s Free Meals Program
Hundreds of schoolchildren across Indonesia have fallen ill after consuming meals from the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
133 Students Hospitalized in Suspected Food Poisoning Linked to Free Meals Program
Authorities are investigating suspected food poisoning after 133 students fell ill following government-provided meals in Sukabumi.
Indonesia Sets ‘4-Hour Rule’ to Prevent School Meal Poisoning
Analyst Isnawati Hidayah, however, remains skeptical of BGN's 4-hour rule effect on curbing food poisoning.The Latest
Prabowo Calls Meeting on Forest Fires as Haze Reaches Jakarta, Singapore
Prabowo summons senior officials to discuss forest fires as smoke reaches Jakarta and Malaysia pushes for regional action.
Jakarta Outranks Amsterdam in Global Public Transport Survey
Jakarta climbs two places to 15th in Time Out's 2026 public transport survey, with its governor citing better network integration.
MSCI Concerns, Tighter IDX Trading Rules Send Indonesian Stocks Down 5% by Midday
Indonesian stocks plunge 5% by midday as MSCI concerns weigh on sentiment and the IDX tightens its daily downside limit to 7%.
Jakarta Prepares 367 Health Facilities as Haze Reaches the Capital
Jakarta prepares 367 health facilities to treat potential haze-related illnesses after smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan crosses the region.
Jakarta Expands Flood Prevention With New Water Storage Ponds
Jakarta opens two East Jakarta water storage ponds as it expands flood prevention efforts through reservoirs and river normalization.Most Popular
