The Indonesian town of Sragen in Central Java experienced the largest food poisoning incident related to President Prabowo Subianto’s free school meals program, with more than 360 individuals falling ill after consuming their school lunches. Since its inception in January, the program has faced multiple mass food poisoning incidents across the archipelago, impacting over 1,000 people.
Sragen’s government chief, Sigit Pamungkas, informed Reuters that 365 people were affected, with a food sample being sent to a lab for testing. Medical treatment costs would be covered by the government if necessary. A likely contaminated lunch, consisting of various dishes including turmeric rice and sliced apple, was prepared in a central kitchen and then distributed to several schools.
The program has seen increased scrutiny and has been expanded to cover over 15 million recipients, with plans to reach 83 million people by the end of the year, at a total cost of 171 trillion rupiah ($10.62
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/hundreds-struck-by-poisoned-in-indonesia-after-eating-free-meals-from-presidents-flagship-program
