In brief
Investigation reveals use of inedible pigments leading to alarming lead levels in children's blood.
More than 200 children were hospitalized in Gansu Province, northwest China, this month due to consumption of food contaminated with lead at a private kindergarten, sparking a public outcry regarding food safety standards. The authorities reported that culinary staff used inedible pigments purchased online to enhance the appearance of food items such as buns and cakes, aiming to attract more enrollment to the institution. Eight individuals, including key officials and employees of the Peixin Kindergarten, have been detained as part of an ongoing investigation. Tianshui police chief Guo Qingxiang stated that the institution allegedly prioritized eye-catching food presentations over the safety of its students. Brightly colored products like sausage buns mimicking the look of corn on the cob and vividly layered cakes were part of the menu, leading to severe health risks. Footage obtained from security cameras reveals kitchen personnel adding vivid yellow powdered pigments to dough, raising serious concerns about food handling practices. Test results showed lead contamination levels in the food that exceeded the national safety limit by over 2000 times, prompting swift action from health officials. While reports of children suffering from lead poisoning first surfaced on July 1, some parents reported inadequate testing and diagnosis in local clinics, leading many to travel over 200 miles to seek proper medical evaluation in Xi’an. By early this week, comprehensive testing was completed for all 251 children at the kindergarten, revealing that 233 displayed dangerously high blood lead levels, with some still hospitalized as the investigation progresses. In response to these alarming events, investigators raided Peixin Kindergarten and confiscated its stock of colored powders. The school has been operational since receiving its qualification certificate in June 2022. Food safety is a crucial issue in China, reminiscent of past scandals involving contaminated products. Although improvements have been noted since severe incidents over a decade ago, this recent occurrence highlights ongoing concerns about regulatory enforcement and the protection of children’s health. The community remains on high alert, recalling a previous lead poisoning incident in Tianshui back in 2006, further complicating the public’s trust in local food safety oversight. David Pierson, with over two decades of journalistic experience, continues to cover significant developments in Chinese policy and society.
