Indonesia President Defends Free Meals Programme After 6,000 Food Poisoning Cases

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has defended his flagship free meals programme for children after more than 6,000 cases of food poisoning were reported since its rollout. The president maintained that the initiative, one of his most ambitious social welfare projects, remains essential for addressing childhood nutrition and inequality in the country.

Food Poisoning Incidents Raise Concerns

The reports of food poisoning emerged shortly after the programme expanded across several provinces. Health officials confirmed that thousands of children had shown symptoms of illness linked to the meals, though the cases were described as mild and without long-term consequences.

Critics of the initiative have questioned both the safety standards and the speed at which the programme is being implemented. Opposition leaders argued that better planning and stricter food quality checks should have been in place before scaling up nationwide.

Speaking at a recent address, President Subianto acknowledged the incidents but emphasized that they represent only a small percentage of the millions of meals distributed so far. “Every major programme faces challenges in its early stages,” he said. “We are learning, improving, and ensuring that children continue to receive nutritious food.”

The president stressed that the goal of the initiative is to fight child malnutrition and ensure equal access to healthy meals, particularly for students from low-income families. He added that safety protocols are being reviewed and suppliers will face tighter scrutiny going forward.

A Flagship Policy Under Scrutiny

Launched earlier this year, the free meals programme was one of Subianto’s key election promises. It aims to provide meals to tens of millions of schoolchildren across Indonesia, making it one of the largest nutrition-based social welfare initiatives in Southeast Asia.

While supporters hail the project as a long-term investment in human capital, detractors warn that mismanagement could undermine public trust. Independent health experts have also called for stricter monitoring and transparency in food sourcing.

Despite the challenges, the Indonesian government insists the programme will continue with adjustments. Officials say improving children’s nutrition remains a top priority, and the government will not abandon a project designed to reduce inequality and boost future productivity.