More than 200 children are undergoing treatment for lead poisoning in north-west China after school cooks used toxic paint to adorn their meals, leading to severe health risks. Authorities have arrested eight individuals following an investigation revealing that food samples tested over 2,000 times the legal limit for lead content.
The kindergarten principal instructed kitchen staff to purchase the paint online, which was clearly labeled as inedible. After the alarming symptoms manifested in numerous children, parents alerted the police, prompting a probe into the matter. Health authorities found alarming lead levels of 1052 mg/kg in the date cake and 1340 mg/kg in the corn buns, both far above the national safety threshold of 0.5 mg/kg.
One concerned parent, identified as Mr. Liu, took his son for medical evaluation after noticing alarming signs among various children, including abdominal pain, appetite loss, and other symptoms dating back to March. His child now requires intensive treatment.
As this disturbing incident unfolded, state media released footage allegedly captured from kitchen surveillance, showing staff mixing paint into the children's food. The city’s mayor, Liu Lijiang, acknowledged the grave deficiencies in food safety oversight and pledged to implement corrective measures in response to this crisis.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with anxious parents questioning the long-term effects of lead poisoning on their children's health. Investigators are yet to determine the duration of the toxic practice, and the kindergarten’s principal and seven other staff members face scrutiny for their significant roles in producing hazardous food.
The kindergarten principal instructed kitchen staff to purchase the paint online, which was clearly labeled as inedible. After the alarming symptoms manifested in numerous children, parents alerted the police, prompting a probe into the matter. Health authorities found alarming lead levels of 1052 mg/kg in the date cake and 1340 mg/kg in the corn buns, both far above the national safety threshold of 0.5 mg/kg.
One concerned parent, identified as Mr. Liu, took his son for medical evaluation after noticing alarming signs among various children, including abdominal pain, appetite loss, and other symptoms dating back to March. His child now requires intensive treatment.
As this disturbing incident unfolded, state media released footage allegedly captured from kitchen surveillance, showing staff mixing paint into the children's food. The city’s mayor, Liu Lijiang, acknowledged the grave deficiencies in food safety oversight and pledged to implement corrective measures in response to this crisis.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with anxious parents questioning the long-term effects of lead poisoning on their children's health. Investigators are yet to determine the duration of the toxic practice, and the kindergarten’s principal and seven other staff members face scrutiny for their significant roles in producing hazardous food.
