The situation unfolded when it was discovered that the kindergarten’s chefs utilized non-edible paint to enhance the aesthetics of meals, resulting in lead levels far exceeding national safety standards and prompting an investigation into food safety protocols.

In a chilling development, 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, are currently receiving treatment for lead poisoning after consuming food decorated with a toxic paint. Eight individuals, including the kindergarten principal and staff, have been arrested following the revelation that chefs added inedible paint to food items such as steamed red date cake and corn sausage rolls.

Authorities found that the lead concentration in the affected food products was about 2,000 times higher than the permissible limit set by national regulations. A media report recounted a concerned parent, Mr. Liu, who took his son to the hospital amidst emerging complaints from other parents about their children’s stomach pain and decreased appetite since March.

While an investigation is underway, including examining hidden supplies and CCTV footage that showed paint being added to meals, Tianshui Mayor Liu Lijiang emphasized that the incident revealed critical flaws in public food safety measures that need to be addressed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.