Authorities in northwestern China have detained the principal of a kindergarten after more than 200 children were diagnosed with suspected lead poisoning linked to contaminated food served at the school.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, medical tests revealed elevated levels of lead in the blood of 233 children enrolled at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, Gansu Province. Of that number, 201 children are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over food safety, recalling past scandals such as the 2008 melamine-tainted baby formula crisis.
City officials launched an investigation after receiving complaints from parents about symptoms among children, including stomach pain, nausea, and even blackened teeth. A parent told state-run Jimu News that their child fell ill after eating food provided at the school.
Tests later confirmed that samples of three-colour steamed date cakes and corn rolls served at the kindergarten contained lead levels over 2,000 times the national safety limit.
The date cake showed a lead concentration of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram, while the corn roll contained 1,340 milligrams per kilogram—far exceeding China’s limit of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram for lead in wheat-based products.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed kitchen workers adding a packaged yellow pigment to flour mixtures used in the contaminated foods.
Investigators said the pigment was purchased online and labeled as inedible. It was later found to contain high levels of lead.
The kindergarten’s principal, identified by her surname Zhu, and an investor named Li have been arrested, along with six other individuals.
Two others have been released on bail pending trial.
Authorities said other kindergartens affiliated with Peixin have not shown any irregularities in their food or health screenings.
While food safety regulations have improved in China over recent years, incidents such as last year’s revelation that cooking oil was transported in fuel containers continue to draw public outrage and highlight ongoing gaps in enforcement.