 "Indonesia: 400 children fall sick in biggest food poisoning case linked to free school meals")
About 400 children in Indonesia’s western Bengkulu Province have fallen ill after consuming free school meals, marking the country’s worst case of mass food poisoning linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship nutrition programme, The Independent reported.
Launched in January to combat malnutrition among children and pregnant women, the initiative has been plagued by similar incidents across the archipelago. In August, 365 people in Central Java fell sick after eating the meals, with poor sanitation blamed by local media.
Children rushed to hospital
In Bengkulu, children aged 4 to 12 were rushed to hospitals last Thursday, many suffering stomach pain, according to a local government video statement.
Authorities have opened an investigation, Vice Governor Mian confirmed. “We will temporarily suspend operations at this kitchen while we investigate where the weaknesses lie. This is the domain of the BGN (National Nutrition Agency) investigation team and the authorities,” he said.
The National Nutrition Agency, which oversees the programme, has yet to comment.
Programme under scrutiny
Despite setbacks, the free meals initiative has rapidly expanded, reaching more than 20 million recipients so far. Authorities plan to cover 83 million people by the end of this year, with a budget of 171 trillion rupiah ($10.52 billion).
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDuring the August outbreak, Sragen government chief Sigit Pamungkas pledged the government would cover all medical costs for affected students.
Students describe painful ordeal
Wizdan Ridho Abimanyu, a ninth grader at Gemolong 1 Middle School, recalled being woken at night by sharp stomach pains. He also suffered headaches and diarrhoea, later realising it was food poisoning after seeing classmates posting similar symptoms online.
The suspected meal in Bengkulu included turmeric rice, omelette ribbons, fried tempeh, cucumber and lettuce salad, sliced apple, and a box of milk. The food was prepared in a central kitchen and distributed to multiple schools.
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