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Food poisoning still haunts free meal program despite promise of improvements
Since the free meal program was launched in January, there have been at least 10 reported cases of mass food poisoning linked to it, impacting more than 1,000 students across various regions.
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Bill Gates (second left), accompanied by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, views meal boxes during their visit to a school to inspect the free nutritious meals program in Jakarta on May 7. (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
F
ood poisoning incidents continue to plague President Prabowo Subianto's free meal program, despite government promises to tighten food safety after hundreds of children fell ill, sparking widespread outrage.
On Wednesday, a total of 171 students and teachers from six schools in Bogor, West Java, reported symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever, after consuming food packaged under the free meal program.
The affected schools include Bina Insani Kindergarten, Bina Insani Elementary School, Bina Insani Junior High School, SDN Kukupu 3 Elementary School, SDN Kedung Jaya 1 and SDN Kedung Jaya 2. These schools reportedly received meals that were prepared and distributed by the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) of Bosowa Bina Insani.
According to the head of the Bogor Health Agency Sri Nowo Retno at least 22 individuals were hospitalized as a result of the incident.
"We have taken food samples for laboratory analysis. The results will be available in a few days," she said on Wednesday, as reported by Kompas.
The incident in Bogor came just two days after a similar case of mass food poisoning affected 173 students from five schools in the Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir Regency, South Sumatra.
Students there reported symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, stomachaches and nausea after consuming packaged meals consisting of mackerel tuna, fried tempeh and vegetables. Many were taken to hospitals for treatment, with nine requiring several days of hospitalization.
