In a devastating food safety breach, 233 children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead after consuming food decorated with inedible paint at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui City, Gansu province. Hospital reports indicated that the paint used was 2,000 times the country's safety limit for lead, prompting the arrest of eight individuals, including the school's principal.
Contamination Crisis: Lead Poisoning Affects 233 Children in Chinese Kindergarten
Contamination Crisis: Lead Poisoning Affects 233 Children in Chinese Kindergarten
A shocking incident in north-west China has led to over 200 children being hospitalized with lead poisoning due to food decoration practices at a local kindergarten.
Authorities revealed that the kitchen staff had purchased the paint online, despite the labels indicating that it was inedible. Following alarming reports from parents about their children's deteriorating health, investigations led to hidden traces of the toxic substance in the school's kitchen. The implications of such contamination, particularly long-term health effects like liver and digestive issues, have raised alarm among parents. Local officials are now under scrutiny to address significant lapses in food safety regulations.
In total, 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten had high levels of lead in their blood after eating steamed red date cake and sausage corn bun. The principal asked the kitchen staff to buy the paint online, according to a police statement. But after the children fell ill, officers had to search for the supplies which had been hidden. The paint was clearly marked as inedible, the statement said. One parent told the BBC that he was worried about the long-term effects of lead poisoning on his son's liver and digestive system. Mr. Liu took his child to hospital in Xi'an for testing last week after other parents raised the alarm. His son now needs 10 days of treatment and medication. Chinese state media aired footage which it said was from CCTV cameras in the kitchen which showed staff adding paint pigment to the food. Investigators found that the red date cake and the corn sausage rolls had lead levels of 1052mg/kg and 1340mg/kg respectively which both exceed the national food safety standard limit of 0.5mg/kg. The principal of the privately-run kindergarten and seven others, including its main investor, will now be investigated on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food. It is not known how long the paint has been used in the food, but several parents told Chinese state media that their children have been complaining of stomach and leg pain and a lack of appetite since March. An investigation was launched after they raised their concerns with the local authorities. The mayor of Tianshui, Liu Lijiang, said the incident exposed shortcomings and loopholes in public food safety supervision and the city would draw lessons from the event.
In total, 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten had high levels of lead in their blood after eating steamed red date cake and sausage corn bun. The principal asked the kitchen staff to buy the paint online, according to a police statement. But after the children fell ill, officers had to search for the supplies which had been hidden. The paint was clearly marked as inedible, the statement said. One parent told the BBC that he was worried about the long-term effects of lead poisoning on his son's liver and digestive system. Mr. Liu took his child to hospital in Xi'an for testing last week after other parents raised the alarm. His son now needs 10 days of treatment and medication. Chinese state media aired footage which it said was from CCTV cameras in the kitchen which showed staff adding paint pigment to the food. Investigators found that the red date cake and the corn sausage rolls had lead levels of 1052mg/kg and 1340mg/kg respectively which both exceed the national food safety standard limit of 0.5mg/kg. The principal of the privately-run kindergarten and seven others, including its main investor, will now be investigated on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food. It is not known how long the paint has been used in the food, but several parents told Chinese state media that their children have been complaining of stomach and leg pain and a lack of appetite since March. An investigation was launched after they raised their concerns with the local authorities. The mayor of Tianshui, Liu Lijiang, said the incident exposed shortcomings and loopholes in public food safety supervision and the city would draw lessons from the event.
