Two separate food poisoning outbreaks affected more than 800 students across Indonesia this week, highlighting ongoing challenges with the country’s ambitious free school meal initiative. The incidents represent the latest in a series of health concerns that have plagued the program since its inception.

The larger outbreak occurred in West Java province’s Garut region, where 569 students from five schools experienced nausea and vomiting after consuming chicken and rice meals provided by a government-sponsored kitchen. The symptoms appeared on Wednesday, one day after the meals were served. According to a local government official, approximately 30 students required hospitalization initially, while others received treatment at home. As of Friday, ten students remained hospitalized, though

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