Hundreds Sick in Indonesia After Consuming Free School Meals

Hundreds of students in Indonesia fell ill after consuming free school meals, officials revealed on Wednesday, highlighting a new incident of potential food poisoning affecting a state-backed initiative. Since the launch of President Prabowo Subianto’s billion-dollar program in January, thousands have fallen sick, prompting calls for its suspension due to worries about hygiene standards. Over 660 students from two schools in Central Java province reported symptoms of food poisoning, with ten teachers from one of the schools also affected, according to Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, head of the Gunungkidul district. She urged school principals to supervise students who received meals from the same kitchen and advise them to seek medical help if they experience any symptoms.