An investigation has revealed a major cover-up by local officials following a lead poisoning incident that affected over 200 children in Gansu, China. The report details how the kindergarten's use of toxic food enhancements and the manipulation of health data led to widespread illness.
Cover-Up Unveiled in Lead Poisoning Scandal Involving 200 Chinese Children
Cover-Up Unveiled in Lead Poisoning Scandal Involving 200 Chinese Children
Officials in Gansu province sought to conceal lead contamination linked to Peixin Kindergarten’s unsafe food practices, igniting public outrage and a government crackdown.
A shocking investigation has uncovered a significant cover-up surrounding a lead poisoning incident involving more than 200 children at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province, China. The findings, released by provincial authorities, reveal that dozens of local officials and hospital staff participated in a desperate attempt to hide the extent of the health crisis, resulting in outrage among the public and demands for accountability.
The investigation details that staff at the kindergarten used inedible paint to "enhance the look" of meals served to students, with authorities later discovering lead concentrations in food that were 2,000 times higher than the national safety limit. As a result, 235 children required hospitalization for lead poisoning after consuming contaminated snacks, including steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns. Fortunately, as of Sunday, 234 of these children have been discharged from care.
Key findings reveal that city officials were involved in tampering with blood test results and had received bribes from a Peixin investor, undermining food safety protocols across several preschools in the region. Initially, eight individuals, including the kindergarten's principal and several cooks, were detained, with six facing arrest and another ten officials set for formal investigation.
The report specifically criticized the Tianshui No. 2 People's Hospital for its chaotic handling of the case and described serious violations of procedure that impacted test results for students and staff. In response to public outrage and media scrutiny, the central government promptly organized an expert panel to address procedural shortcomings and has since released new national guidelines for food safety in schools.
Moving forward, the Gansu authorities have promised free medical treatment for affected children at designated hospitals, alongside legal support for their families. Furthermore, Peixin Kindergarten will be temporarily overseen by a state-owned institution to restore confidence in the safety of meal provisions. Public reactions have ranged from appreciation for the transparency of the investigation to calls for strict punishment of those responsible for the children's suffering and endangerment.
