More than 200 children in Gansu province, northwestern China, are currently receiving treatment for lead poisoning after a disturbing case where school chefs used inedible paint to decorate food. Authorities announced that 233 children from the Peixin Kindergarten tested positive for high lead levels after consuming contaminated meals, which included steamed red date cake and sausage corn buns.
Following the revelation, investigations revealed that the paint used in food preparation had lead levels exceeding national safety standards by an alarming 2,000 times. The kitchen staff are reported to have been instructed by the school's principal to purchase the hazardous paint online. This has led to the arrest of eight individuals, including the principal and the main investor of the kindergarten, on suspicions of supplying toxic food.
Parents expressed grave concerns about the long-term implications of lead poisoning on their children’s health. One parent, Mr. Liu, shared his worries over his son's condition, noting that his child would require extensive medical treatment. Reports indicate that several parents had raised alarms about their children experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain and lack of appetite since as early as March.
Chinese state media released footage from CCTV cameras depicting kitchen staff mixing food with paint pigment, further alarming the community. The red date cake and corn sausage rolls tested at lead levels of 1052mg/kg and 1340mg/kg, starkly surpassing the legal limit of 0.5mg/kg.
In response to the incident, the mayor of Tianshui, Liu Lijiang, acknowledged the failures in the existing food safety oversight and promised that lessons would be learned to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As investigations continue, parents await clarity on the safety of their children's health moving forward.
