Over 500 Indonesian students hospitalized after state-provided meals cause food poisoning

More than 500 students were hospitalized with food‑borne illness in Indonesia on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health. The cases were reported from several schools in the Jakarta metropolitan area after students fell ill following lunch served at school canteens. Health officials said the majority of patients exhibited symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, prompting immediate medical attention at nearby hospitals and clinics.

The Ministry of Health has launched an investigation to identify the source of contamination and has dispatched a rapid response team to the affected schools. Officials have ordered the temporary closure of the implicated canteens, initiated testing of food samples, and advised parents to monitor their children for further symptoms. The ministry emphasized that it will provide regular updates as more information becomes available and urged the public to adhere to food safety guidelines while the inquiry proceeds.