TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has called for the suspension and comprehensive evaluation of Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program following a series of suspected mass food poisoning cases involving hundreds of students and teachers in several regions.
In the past week, students and teachers in Jayapura, Papua, and Semarang, Central Java reportedly fell ill after consuming meals provided under the government’s flagship nutrition program.
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said the growing number of reported cases should serve as a serious warning for the government to immediately halt the program and conduct a thorough review.
“How many more students have to become victims of food poisoning before the government listens to these calls?” Usman said in a written statement on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Amnesty Rejects Government’s Statistical Approach
Usman urged the government not to respond to MBG-related food poisoning cases by comparing the number of victims with the total number of program beneficiaries, as previously cited by President Prabowo Subianto.
He said using statistics to downplay individual cases was a flawed approach because every child has the right to health protection.
Usman described the situation as ironic, saying a program designed to improve children’s nutrition had instead become a health risk for thousands of students.
“The program, which was promoted as a national nutrition solution, has instead become a disaster after tens of thousands of students became victims of food poisoning,” he said.
He also highlighted the situation in Depapre District, Jayapura, where local health facilities were overwhelmed after a surge of suspected food poisoning patients.
More Than 37,000 Students Reportedly Affected
Citing data from the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), Usman said more than 37,000 students had reportedly been affected by MBG-related food poisoning cases from the program’s launch in January 2025 until May 2026.
Of that figure, around 9,000 cases occurred between January and May 2026, according to JPPI data.
Usman criticized the lack of comprehensive investigations and legal proceedings into repeated mass food poisoning incidents linked to the program.
“There have been no comprehensive investigations and legal processes regarding the recurring mass food poisoning cases caused by MBG across Indonesia,” he said.
Latest Cases Reported in Jayapura and Semarang
The latest incident occurred in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, where hundreds of students reportedly became ill after consuming MBG meals on August 4, 2026.
Jayapura Health Agency Head Anton Mote said the Depapre Community Health Center (PKM) was unable to accommodate additional patients after the number of suspected victims reached around 150 people.
Some patients were later referred to other community health centers and nearby hospitals. Most reported symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and weakness.
The MBG meal provider serving Depapre reportedly prepared around 1,500 meal portions for elementary and junior high school students across seven villages.
The incident followed an earlier case at a public senior high school in Jayapura on July 28, 2026, where at least 120 students and teachers reportedly fell ill after consuming MBG meals.
A similar incident occurred at a public vocational high school in Semarang on July 31, 2026, affecting 707 students and teachers. Victims reportedly experienced symptoms including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Amnesty Calls for Supply Chain Investigation
Usman argued that the repeated incidents reflected broader problems beyond individual negligence.
“These incidents are not merely isolated cases of negligence, but a systemic failure by the state to protect schoolchildren,” he said.
He also raised concerns over MBG’s governance and implementation, citing a Constitutional Court ruling that found the use of education funds for the program violated the Constitution.
Amnesty urged the government to investigate the entire MBG supply chain, from food preparation to distribution, in Jayapura, Semarang, and other affected areas.
“Those responsible must face fair and transparent legal proceedings if negligence is proven to have caused mass food poisoning among students,” Usman said.
Usman also referred to findings from the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), which in June identified potential human rights violations related to MBG, including concerns over the rights to health, children’s rights, and the right to food.
He said a program intended to provide nutrition should not put children’s health and safety at risk.
