Archive · 22 Sep 2025
Indonesia: Free School Meals Program Faces Calls for Suspension
Indonesia's free school meals program is in trouble.
Recently, many children got sick from food poisoning, leading NGOs to ask the government to stop the program.
The program gives meals to millions of kids and costs a lot of money.
Some worry that the food isn't healthy enough, often including ultra-processed items.
Government officials regret the food poisoning cases and plan to investigate.
They also plan to continue the program.
NGOs have urged the government to temporarily halt the free school meals program.
6,452 children have been affected by food poisoning.
The program has served over 20 million people since January.
Concerns raised about the nutritional value of the food.
The government plans to investigate the food poisoning cases.
- Who
- Health-focused NGOs and National Nutrition Agency
- What
- Urged the government to halt the free school meals program.
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Indonesia
- Why
- Due to food poisoning outbreaks and concerns about nutritional value.
NGO Concerns
Government Stance
Food Safety
NGO Concerns
Advocates for program suspension due to food poisoning and systemic failures.
Government Stance
The National Nutrition Agency regrets the food poisoning cases and plans investigation while intending to continue the program.
Nutrition
NGO Concerns
NGOs urge increased focus on nutritional value of the food provided.
Government Stance
The agency intends to continue the program and address any issues.
- Event
- Calls for suspension of free school meals program
- Program
- Free school meals program
- Budget
- 171 trillion rupiah ($10.30 billion) this year
- Recipients
- More than 20 million since January
- Reported Poisoning Cases
- 4,711 out of 1 billion meals served
- Food Poisoning Victims
- 6,452 children nationwide
- Key People
- President Prabowo Subianto, Dadan Hindayana