Over 6,000 students have reportedly come down with food poisoning since the launch of the nutritious lunch scheme in January. This initiative aims to cover more than 80 million children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers by next year.
The cause of the food poisoning has been traced to contaminated fried tofu, chicken in soy sauce, and several fruit and vegetable dishes. However, administrators at a school in Ketapang attributed the outbreak to a dish of shark fillet with tomato sauce on the menu.
Critics have questioned the choice of shark meat, citing concerns over its potentially high mercury content and its suitability for feeding children. In response, authorities have issued a rebuttal.
Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency Deputy Head, Nanik Deyang, explained that shark meat is a traditional part of the diet in that region, justifying its inclusion in the school meals.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3327576/fried-shark-served-indonesias-free-meals-programme-comes-biting-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed