Indonesia's Free School Lunch Program Raises Alarms After 1,170 Children Fall Ill

Over 1,000 Children Fall Ill from Free School Lunches in Indonesia In a disturbing trend that has raised concerns about food safety and public health, more than 1,170 school children in Indonesia have fallen ill after consuming free lunches provided by the government's multi-billion-dollar nutritious meals programme. The latest incident occurred between Monday and Wednesday this week, according to Yuyun Sarihotima, head of West Java's Cipongkor Community Health Center. The programme, launched by President Prabowo Subianto in an effort to provide free lunches to 80 million school children, has been marred by a series of mass food poisoning incidents. Last week, 800 students in West Java and Central Sulawesi provinces were poisoned, prompting non-governmental organisations to call for the programme's suspension due to health concerns. "This is not just about food safety; it's also about the trust that parents have placed in the government to provide their children with nutritious meals," said Muhaimin Iskandar, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment. "We take these incidents seriously and are working closely with local authorities to investigate and prevent further cases." The programme has been touted as a flagship initiative of President Prabowo's leadership, but critics argue that it lacks proper oversight and monitoring mechanisms. "The government is more focused on implementing the programme than ensuring its quality," said Rina Ariadne, a nutrition expert at the University of Indonesia. "This lack of attention to detail has led to these tragic incidents." The community impact of these incidents cannot be overstated. Parents who had trusted the government's promise of nutritious meals are now left to worry about their children's health and safety. "I was shocked when I heard that my child had fallen ill," said Siti, a mother of two in West Java. "I never thought that the free lunch programme would put our children at risk." As the investigation into these incidents continues, the government has promised to take swift action to prevent further cases. The programme's future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Indonesian people demand better from their leaders. Background: The nutritious meals programme was launched in January with great fanfare, promising to provide free lunches to 80 million school children across Indonesia. While the programme has been praised for its ambitious goals, critics have raised concerns about food safety and quality control. Additional Perspectives: "This is a wake-up call for the government to rethink their priorities," said Rina Ariadne, a nutrition expert at the University of Indonesia. "We need to ensure that our children are not only fed but also protected from harm," said Siti, a mother of two in West Java. Current Status: The investigation into these incidents is ongoing, with local authorities working closely with health experts to identify the cause and prevent further cases. The government has promised to take swift action to address these concerns and ensure the safety of school children. *Reporting by Bbc.*