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Indonesia Closes Kitchens, Probes Yogyakarta Mass Illness Linked to Free School Meals

The probe follows reports of about 15,000 children falling ill nationwide since January, heightening scrutiny of a programme serving tens of millions.

Overview

  • About 660 students from two schools in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta fell sick after eating government-provided meals, according to the regional head.
  • The national food agency BGN said investigators are examining suspected issues such as improper storage and late delivery of cooked food.
  • BGN temporarily shut kitchens near the affected area and directed operators to reduce meal portions to keep food fresh.
  • President Prabowo created a ministerial task force that includes the health minister and the BGN chief to strengthen oversight of the programme.
  • The scheme runs roughly 11,000 kitchens and now targets about 70 million recipients by year-end, with 171 trillion rupiah budgeted and about 99 trillion expected to be spent.