Indonesia: Around 2,000 Students and Teachers Reportedly Fall Ill After Free School Meals

Indonesia, September 2026: Around 2,000 students and teachers across Indonesia have reportedly fallen ill over the past three days in suspected food-poisoning incidents linked to meals provided under the government’s free school meals programme.

In the latest reported case, 777 people became unwell after consuming meals at a high school in Rembang, Central Java, according to the school’s headteacher.

The meals were provided through the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) programme, a multibillion-dollar government initiative and one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship policies aimed at improving nutrition among Indonesian schoolchildren.

However, the programme has faced criticism over its cost and has also been subject to allegations of corruption. Authorities have been investigating several suspected food-poisoning incidents associated with meals distributed through the programme.

Hundreds fall ill at Central Java school

At a high school in Lasem, Rembang, 752 students and 25 teachers reportedly experienced symptoms after eating meals provided through the MBG programme on Wednesday lunchtime.

School headteacher Juhartutik said those affected experienced symptoms including diarrhoea and stomach-related problems. The school subsequently sent nearly 1,200 students and 95 staff members home, while some affected people were taken to hospital.

According to the headteacher, the government would cover medical expenses, while the local food distributor visited the school following the incident.

Other suspected outbreaks reported

The incident in Rembang followed another suspected outbreak at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, where 730 people reportedly became ill after consuming MBG meals, according to a local health official.

Some affected students required medical treatment, with reports indicating that several were too weak to stand and needed assistance while being transported for care.

Hundreds of other people have also reportedly experienced suspected food-poisoning symptoms at several schools in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi.

Authorities investigate possible contamination

Local authorities are investigating the reported incidents, while food samples are being tested to determine whether contamination occurred and what may have caused the illnesses.

Parents and teachers have reportedly raised concerns about the quality and condition of some meals, including claims of slimy chicken, undercooked food and unusual odours. These claims have not been established as the cause of the reported illnesses and remain part of the wider investigation.

The Lasem food distribution unit’s head, Achmad Sholeh Syarifudin, apologised and said the unit would take responsibility for the recovery of affected students and teachers. He also said a comprehensive evaluation of its operations would be conducted.

The head of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency said that if negligence or criminal elements were established, responsibility would have to be addressed through the appropriate process.

Government programme faces scrutiny

The free school meals programme is intended to improve nutrition among children across Indonesia. The recent suspected food-poisoning incidents have nevertheless raised questions about food preparation, storage, transportation and quality-control procedures.

With investigations still underway, authorities are expected to examine food samples and distribution processes to establish the precise cause of the reported illnesses and determine whether any violations occurred.

Source: BBC News Indonesia and local authorities