Chinese police have detained a kindergarten principal after more than 200 children in Tianshui city, northwestern China, were found with possible lead poisoning linked to school meals.
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday that 233 children at Peixin Kindergarten had “abnormal” levels of lead in their blood. Out of this number, 201 children are currently receiving hospital treatment.
The incident was traced to contaminated food items served at the school, including three-colour steamed date cakes and corn rolls. Tests showed that these foods contained over 2,000 times the safe limit for lead in China.
The national safety limit for lead in wheat and starch products is 0.5 milligrams per kilogram. However, the cake had 1,052 milligrams and the corn roll had 1,340 milligrams per kilogram.
Security footage revealed kitchen staff mixing flour with packaged yellow colouring. Investigators later confirmed the colouring was actually paint pigment bought online, marked unsafe for eating.
A parent told local outlet Jimu News that many children had suffered stomach pain, nausea, and even blackened teeth.
Following the reports, authorities launched an investigation last week and detained the principal, identified by the surname Zhu, and an investor named Li. Six others were also taken into custody, while two suspects are on bail awaiting trial.
CCTV added that the poisoning affected only children at the Peixin Kindergarten and not others in nearby schools.
China has made efforts to improve food safety in recent years. However, this case has stirred fresh concerns, especially after a 2024 scandal involving cooking oil transported in fuel containers sparked widespread anger online.
