In a shocking revelation, an official investigation has found that dozens of provincial officials and hospital staff tried to cover up a lead poisoning scandal that sickened hundreds of children at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, northwest China. The Gansu provincial authorities disclosed that officials tampered with blood test results of the affected students to hide the extent of the issue.
The scandal escalated as the kindergarten reportedly used inedible paint to make their meals visually appealing in a bid to attract more enrolments. Investigations revealed that food items contained lead levels 2,000 times above the national safety limit. Initially, eight individuals were arrested for their roles in distributing toxic snacks, with six—including the kindergarten's principal and cooks—now facing charges.
After initial concerns arose in July, around 235 children were treated for lead poisoning following the consumption of tainted steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns, with only one child still hospitalized as of the latest updates. Although the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention conducted tests on the kindergarten's students and staff, the investigation found that officials failed to follow proper procedures, leading to distorted test results.
The report highlighted severe misconduct by employees at the Tianshui No. 2 People's Hospital, whose chaotic management of the case drew criticism. Public reaction has varied, with many applauding the transparency of the investigation while demanding accountability for those involved.
In response to the outcry, the central government acted swiftly, forming an expert panel to evaluate procedural shortcomings. New guidelines were issued to ensure stricter food safety measures in schools, including mandatory testing for every new batch of food and centralized procurement for essential supplies.
Furthermore, local authorities assured that children suffering from lead poisoning would receive free treatment and legal aid. For the time being, Peixin Kindergarten will be under the management of a state-owned institution until trust can be restored.
