Calls grow to suspend Indonesia's free meal programme after mass poisoning

FILE PHOTO: This picture taken on June 23, 2025 shows elementary schoolchildren eating food prepared by the Indonesian government's free meal programme at a classroom in Jakarta. Over the past week, at least three clusters of mass food poisoning have been reported in some regions, with more than 1,000 students falling ill after they consumed meals distributed under the flagship programme. - AFP

JAKARTA: President Prabowo Subianto ’s free meals programme faces mounting calls for suspension following repeated cases of mass poisoning that have heightened public concern over food safety and mismanagement.

Over the past week, at least three clusters of mass food poisoning have been reported in some regions, with more than 1,000 students falling ill after they consumed meals distributed under the flagship programme.