Jakarta, Sept. 28 -- Indonesia's government said on Sunday that food poisoning cases linked to its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program are not just statistics but a threat to the health of future generations, pledging tighter oversight after dozens of outbreaks.

"This is not about numbers. It is about the safety of our children," Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, known as Zulhas, told a press conference at the Health Ministry in Jakarta.

He said President Prabowo Subianto had ordered ministers to improve the program after returning from an overseas trip, stressing that children's safety was the government's top priority.

The directive was followed up with a coordination meeting to address the food safety incidents i...