Free school meal program in Medan linked to food poisoning of dozens of pupils

A batch of free nutritious meals distributed to SDN 060870 elementary school in Medan caused food-related illness among 17 pupils on Friday. The children complained of nausea after drinking packaged milk that they described as having lumps similar to coconut milk. Six students were taken to Imelda Hospital for treatment of vomiting and diarrhea; two of those patients were discharged on Saturday and another eleven were released after receiving care.

City Secretary Erfin Fahrurrazi confirmed that the municipal administration continues to monitor the patients and is waiting for lab analysis of food samples provided by the nutrition fulfilment service centre (SPPG) to verify the source of the poisoning. Parents, such as Siti Nurzanah, said their children are improving after hospital care. The episode raises concerns about the safety of the free-meal initiative overseen by resident Prabowo Subianto.