The Indonesian government continues to promote its free-food program as a national initiative aimed at enhancing child nutrition, with President Joko Widodo asserting that the initiative is contributing to improved public health outcomes. However, the program has attracted sharp criticism from both medical professionals and lawmakers, with calls for the initiative to be suspended due to growing concerns about its health impact. Recent reports indicate that more than 1,300 students in West Java Province have contracted illnesses following the consumption of meals distributed under the program, raising further questions about the safety and long-term viability of the initiative. The controversy highlights a broader debate over the balance between welfare initiatives and public health oversight in Indonesia.