Indonesia probes suspected poisoning after 512 students hospitalized from free meals

Indonesia is grappling with mass food poisoning tied to the government’s free Nutritious Meals program, with more than 500 students in East Java’s Sidoarjo area affected and dozens hospitalized as investigations unfold. Officials say the National Nutrition Agency is reviewing the meals program’s operations, amid previous controversies around the scheme, leadership changes, and a high cumulative tally of poisonings cited by watchdogs. A 30-day suspension has been imposed on the Talang Angin SPPG kitchen involved, with plans to replace its management while authorities determine the cause of the outbreak. The case underscores broader reform efforts at the agency overseeing the program, which has faced calls to tighten quality controls and reduce costs after a series of incidents. Local authorities and the agency say they are prioritizing the health and recovery of affected children as investigations continue. The episode adds to a pattern of mass-poisoning incidents linked to the free meals program, prompting ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers, watchdog groups, and the public.