Jakarta. Twenty elementary school students in East Jakarta were hospitalized on Tuesday after suffering suspected food poisoning from meals provided under the government’s free nutritious meal program, adding to a growing list of similar incidents nationwide.

The students from a public school in Pasar Rebo experienced nausea, vomiting, and dizziness shortly after eating lunch served through the program. The free meal scheme, launched in January, has already been linked to nearly 6,000 food poisoning cases across Indonesia.

The latest case intensifies scrutiny of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship welfare initiative, as the government faces mounting pressure to enforce stricter standards and restore public confidence in the nationwide free meal program.

School Officials Raise Alarm
Principal Kurniasari said the meals served that day were noticeably different from usual. “There was a foul smell from the fried noodles and eggs,” she told reporters at the Pasar Rebo police station. The menu consisted of fried noodles, fried tofu, mustard greens, eggs, and strawberries.

Following the incident, the school requested that government meal deliveries be suspended until the investigation is complete.

Teacher Trini said 20 students displayed symptoms of poisoning, with five admitted to the emergency ward of Pasar Rebo General Hospital for treatment.

The incident has fueled anger among parents, who urged authorities to ensure transparency in the investigation and better safeguards for food safety.

“The program is a good initiative, but it must not put students’ health at risk,” said one parent, who declined to be named.

Investigation Underway
Pasar Rebo police chief I Wayan Wijaya confirmed that laboratory tests are being conducted on the fried noodles suspected of causing the poisoning. The probe involves the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and Jakarta’s Health Office.

“This joint investigation is to ensure accurate results,” Wayan said. “We want to guarantee that such incidents do not happen again. Children must be given food that is safe and healthy.”

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