An alarming investigation into a lead poisoning incident in northwest China has uncovered a conspiracy involving local officials and healthcare staff trying to conceal the extent of the problem. This scandal revolves around Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, where 235 children fell ill after consuming foods contaminated with lead due to the use of inedible paint aimed at making meals visually appealing to boost enrollment.
Provincial authorities reported that several officials tampered with critical blood tests of the affected students, while some even accepted bribes to overlook food safety violations at the kindergarten and other pre-schools. Lead concentrations in food samples from Peixin were found to exceed the national safety limit by 2,000 times, triggering public outrage.
Initially, eight individuals involved in producing the tainted foods were detained, with six—including the principal and kitchen staff—now arrested. Authorities announced that ten others are facing formal accountability, while 17 more individuals are under investigation.
On July 8, the situation escalated as 235 children were admitted to the hospital, with only one remaining in care as of the report date. Despite the alarming initial findings, a lack of urgency from local health officials hindered prompt action, as they reportedly failed to adhere to proper testing protocols, resulting in distorted outcomes.
Public response to the report has sparked a mix of commendation for increased transparency and calls for justice against those responsible. In light of the incident, the central government has swiftly initiated new food safety guidelines for educational institutions, including mandatory safety tests for all food supplies. Furthermore, parents of affected children will receive free medical treatment and legal aid as the state-owned kindergarten steps in to manage Peixin’s operations temporarily.
