The health crisis in Tianshui City has led to the arrest of eight individuals, including the kindergarten principal, amidst rising concerns about the long-term effects of lead poisoning on affected children.
Lead Poisoning Crisis at Chinese Kindergarten Affects Over 200 Children
Lead Poisoning Crisis at Chinese Kindergarten Affects Over 200 Children
In a shocking food safety incident, more than 200 children in north-west China are receiving treatment for lead poisoning after chefs at Peixin Kindergarten used inedible paint to decorate meals.
In a troubling incident in Tianshui City, Gansu province, over 200 children have fallen ill due to lead poisoning, after school chefs utilized inedible paint to embellish their meals. A total of 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten are receiving medical treatment as investigations revealed that the food samples contained lead levels more than 2,000 times the national safety limit.
Following the alarming reports, authorities arrested eight individuals, including the kindergarten principal, who allegedly instructed kitchen staff to procure the toxic paint online. After a health scare ensued, police sought out the supplies, which had been concealed, unearthing paint that was clearly labeled as inedible.
Parents are understandably concerned, with individuals like Mr. Liu expressing fear about potential lasting damage to their children's health. He rushed his son to a hospital in Xi'an for testing after other parents sounded the alarm about symptoms such as stomach pain and lack of appetite that had been observed for several months.
Footage released by Chinese state media appears to show kitchen staff adding pigment to food, revealing a disturbing practice that had gone unchecked for some time. Tests indicated lead concentrations in the steamed red date cake and corn sausage buns at 1052mg/kg and 1340mg/kg, far exceeding the allowable limit of 0.5mg/kg.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation focusing on the various stakeholders, including the kindergarten's main investor, under suspicion of producing harmful food. The mayor of Tianshui, Liu Lijiang, acknowledged the grave shortcomings in public food safety oversight and pledged that the city would learn from this incident to prevent future occurrences.
Following the alarming reports, authorities arrested eight individuals, including the kindergarten principal, who allegedly instructed kitchen staff to procure the toxic paint online. After a health scare ensued, police sought out the supplies, which had been concealed, unearthing paint that was clearly labeled as inedible.
Parents are understandably concerned, with individuals like Mr. Liu expressing fear about potential lasting damage to their children's health. He rushed his son to a hospital in Xi'an for testing after other parents sounded the alarm about symptoms such as stomach pain and lack of appetite that had been observed for several months.
Footage released by Chinese state media appears to show kitchen staff adding pigment to food, revealing a disturbing practice that had gone unchecked for some time. Tests indicated lead concentrations in the steamed red date cake and corn sausage buns at 1052mg/kg and 1340mg/kg, far exceeding the allowable limit of 0.5mg/kg.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation focusing on the various stakeholders, including the kindergarten's main investor, under suspicion of producing harmful food. The mayor of Tianshui, Liu Lijiang, acknowledged the grave shortcomings in public food safety oversight and pledged that the city would learn from this incident to prevent future occurrences.
