Surabaya, Indonesia - Around 200 students across 12 schools in East Java's Surabaya fell ill after eating free meals provided by the government's nutrition program. The students, from kindergartens, elementary, and junior high schools in the Tembok Dukuh subdistrict, complained of dizziness, nausea, and vomiting on May 11.
Most received light medical treatment, though some were taken to IBI Mother and Child Hospital. None required hospitalization. Tiyas Pranadani, head of the Tembok Dukuh Community Health Centre, confirmed the suspected poisoning traced back to a single nutrition fulfillment unit. Preliminary suspicions center on a beef dish served that day, as it was the first time meat was included in the meals.
Food samples have been sent to the Health Laboratory Centre for testing. Students reported the beef tasted bitter, with many discarding it after a few bites.