Free school meals linked to teen's permanent memory loss
A 16-year-old suffered memory loss after eating contaminated food from Indonesia's free school meal program.
A high-achieving 16-year-old Indonesian student lost her memory and could not recognise family members after eating fish served through President Prabowo Subianto's free school meal program. Febiola Purba collapsed when she got home and was rushed to hospital.
Febiola's father said she did not recognise him despite them sitting together. Tests found E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in food samples.
Poor handling and cross-contamination are indicated. Between September 1 and 9 this year, nearly 3,500 people, mostly students, fell sick across multiple regions.
Since the program launched in January 2025, about 50,000 have been poisoned across 560 incidents. Febiola is now being treated at a Jakarta hospital after Indonesia's Vice-President visited her parents to apologise.
There are renewed calls to suspend or cancel the program.
- 16 years old
- Student age
- August 13
- Poisoning date
- About 50,000 across 560 incidents
- Total poisoned since launch
- September 1 to 9, nearly 3,500 people
- Outbreak span
Why it mattersA signature policy of Indonesia's president faces scrutiny for severe safety failures that have caused lasting harm to children.
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