Jakarta: More than 1,000 children in Indonesia’s West Java province have been hospitalized this week after consuming free school meals provided under the government’s national nutrition program. The latest wave of food poisoning cases has added to growing concerns over the safety and management of the multi-billion-dollar scheme.

The outbreaks were reported in four regions, including West Bandung and Sukabumi. Local health facilities, overwhelmed by the number of patients, were forced to set up temporary treatment centers in sports halls. West Bandung declared a health emergency to mobilize resources and respond more effectively to the crisis.

Since the program’s launch in January, more than 6,400 children across Indonesia have suffered food poisoning linked to the meals. Authorities s

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