Indonesia’s top human rights body has urged police to investigate several new food poisoning outbreaks linked to the government’s free meal programme.

More than 2,000 students and teachers became sick this week across at least three major Indonesian islands. They reportedly fell ill after eating lunches supplied through the programme.

The scheme aims to improve nutrition and tackle malnutrition among Indonesian children. President Prabowo Subianto launched the initiative last year.

Rights Body Calls for Police Investigation

The independent National Human Rights Commission, known as Komnas HAM, called for a police investigation into the latest poisoning cases.

“Rights to food, especially safe-to-consume food, are human rights,” the commission said.

It also warned that weak sanitation standards could undermine the programme’s legitimacy.

Meanwhile, Komnas HAM urged the National Nutrition Agency to suspend kitchens allegedly linked to the outbreaks. The agency oversees the government’s free meal programme.

Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

More Students Fall Sick

In South Sulawesi’s Tana Toraja region, around 170 students and teachers became ill on Thursday. Local government head Zadrak Tombeg confirmed the cases.

Another 256 students reportedly fell sick in an East Java region this week.

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Those cases followed more than 1,700 reported illnesses across Central Java, East Java and West Sumatra.

Furthermore, the National Nutrition Agency delayed a planned press conference on Friday. Officials did not explain the delay or announce a new time.

Agency head Sudaryono said on Thursday that authorities would handle the poisoning cases seriously.

Food Safety Concerns Grow

The latest outbreaks add to wider concerns about food safety under the programme.

As of September 1, about 50,000 people had reportedly been affected by food poisoning, lawmaker Charles Honoris said. He cited health department data.

Previous incidents were linked in part to improper food storage and delays in delivering cooked meals.

Consequently, concerns over the programme have grown among parents and the wider public.

One parent, Ester Patandung, said her child was hospitalised after falling ill in Tana Toraja.

“My hope as a parent is for the central or regional government to cancel the free meal programme,” she told Reuters.

Public Support for Programme Falls

The repeated poisoning cases have also affected public support for Prabowo’s flagship initiative.

A July survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting found that only about one-third of Indonesians were satisfied with the programme.

Many respondents identified food poisoning incidents as a key reason for their dissatisfaction.

For now, the government faces growing pressure to strengthen food safety controls while continuing its effort to improve child nutrition.