Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on Monday that it had found "strong indications" of human rights violations in the implementation of the government's free nutritious meals program, including food-poisoning incidents that have affected tens of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Commissioner Uli Parulian Sihombing said the findings were based on field studies conducted in West Kalimantan, West Java, and East Java, as well as consultations with nutrition experts, public-policy specialists, and civil society organizations.
"Based on our preliminary findings, Komnas HAM has identified strong indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the free nutritious meals program, including violations of the rights to health, food, information, freedom of expression, decent work, children's rights, and the right to remedies for victims," Uli said.
The commission also held discussions with several government agencies involved in the program, including the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the Home Affairs Ministry, and the Health Ministry.
According to Komnas HAM, the most serious concern is the high number of food-poisoning incidents linked to the program.
Citing Health Ministry data as of May 11, 2026, Uli said there had been 449 reported cases of mass food poisoning associated with the program, affecting 38,023 people across 36 provinces and 221 regencies and municipalities.
He also criticized "inadequate responses" to food-poisoning incidents, saying the commission had found no clear emergency-response standards for handling such cases.
Komnas HAM further noted that only 15,728 of the 27,649 operational Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) had obtained hygiene and sanitation certification, representing just 57% of all facilities.
The commission argued that the program's target population – which includes all schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers – is too broad and may reduce its effectiveness.
According to Uli, the program would be more effective if focused on the most vulnerable groups, particularly low-income communities in disadvantaged and remote regions.
Komnas HAM also expressed concern over the concentration of authority within the National Nutrition Agency, which is responsible for drafting technical regulations, overseeing procurement, determining kitchen locations, distributing incentive funds, supervising implementation, and imposing sanctions for violations.
Such a structure, the commission said, creates the potential for overlapping responsibilities and insufficient oversight of the agency itself.
The commission further criticized what it described as an excessive focus on the number of beneficiaries rather than the nutritional quality of meals provided. It also noted the absence of clear nutritional information standards for meal recipients.
In addition, Komnas HAM raised concerns about reports that law-enforcement measures had been used in response to public criticism of the program.
"The use of litigation or criminal complaints to respond to criticism has the potential to undermine the rights to freedom of opinion and expression," Uli said.
Another concern highlighted by the commission was the legal status and protection of program workers. Komnas HAM noted that many food-service personnel continue to be classified as volunteers despite working fixed schedules and receiving compensation for their services.
Based on its findings, the commission called on the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the free nutritious meals program to ensure that its implementation is consistent with human-rights principles, properly targeted, transparent, and capable of protecting both beneficiaries and workers involved in the initiative.