Indonesia's Rapid Nutrition Expansion Leads to 6,400 Food Poisoning Cases
A rapid expansion of President Prabowo Subianto's nutrition initiative in Indonesia has led to a surge in food poisoning cases, with over 6,400 people affected since January. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has suspended dozens of kitchens and prioritized safety, especially for children, after over 1,300 children in West Bandung were hospitalized last month with symptoms including respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The program, aiming to reach 83 million people by 2029, saw a rapid increase in production kitchens from around 1,000 in April to over 9,600 by late September. Similarly, beneficiaries grew from 3 million to 31 million in the same period. However, this expansion contributed to food safety incidents, with inexperienced cooks, poor-quality materials, water issues, and operational standard violations cited as causes.
Non-profit groups and researchers urged the program's suspension to prevent further illnesses and deaths, given the government's allocation of 62 cents per meal and a 71 trillion rupiah ($4.2 billion) budget for 2025.
The government's nutrition initiative, despite its noble intentions, has faced serious challenges due to rapid expansion. With over 6,400 people affected by food poisoning and over 1,300 children hospitalized, the program's future hangs in the balance as non-profit groups and researchers call for a temporary halt to ensure safety and prevent further food poisoning incidents.
