China Kindergarten Lead Poisoning Scandal Unfolds

An investigation in northwest China's Gansu province found a cover-up by local officials and hospital staff in a lead poisoning case at Peixin Kindergarten, where over 200 children were poisoned after eating food contaminated with lead from inedible paint used to enhance the appearance of meals. Six people, including the kindergarten's principal, cooks, and an investor, have been arrested, and 27 others face disciplinary action or investigation for their roles in the cover-up and poisoning.

Seventeen people, including the head of a local hospital and 10 government officials, are being investigated in China after nearly 250 children were found to have high levels of lead in their blood due to staff at a kindergarten adding paint powder to their food. The scandal led to widespread testing, which showed 247 children and 28 staff members had abnormal blood levels, with one child having lead levels 38 times the normal amount, potentially causing long-term brain and central nervous system damage.

Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into 27 others after over 230 kindergarten children in Gansu province were poisoned by food contaminated with industrial-grade lead paint. The kindergarten's principal had ordered the cook to add the paint to food to make it more appealing, despite the packaging warning it was "not for consumption". One pigment was found to contain lead levels 400,000 times the safe limit. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with parents protesting outside the kindergarten, clashing with police. An investigative report found widespread failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident and bribe officials.