China kindergarten crisis: How lead in food hospitalised 230 children; understand the dangers, causes and prevention |

In a disturbing case of food contamination, more than 230 children in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China, have been hospitalized with lead poisoning. The incident occurred after kindergarten kitchen staff used industrial, non-edible paint to decorate food, including steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns. Tests revealed lead levels thousands of times above the national safety limit. The paint had been purchased online at the instruction of the school principal. Eight individuals, including the principal and key staff, have been arrested.

China reports alarming lead levels in contaminated kindergarten food samples

As BBC reported, authorities revealed that food samples collected from Peixin Kindergarten contained lead levels up to 2,680 times the national safety threshold of 0.5 mg/kg:

The excessive contamination led to 233 children testing positive for high levels of lead in their blood. Chinese state media broadcast CCTV footage showing kitchen staff adding the pigment directly into the food preparation process.

Chinese kindergarten staff arrested for using toxic paint in food preparation

According to a police statement, the kindergarten principal instructed kitchen staff to purchase the paint online, fully aware it was not meant for consumption. When children began falling ill, the paint and related supplies were intentionally hidden to avoid detection. Authorities later uncovered the materials during their investigation.As of now, eight individuals, including the school principal and the kindergarten’s primary investor, have been arrested and are facing charges related to the production of toxic and harmful food.

Symptoms reported among the children

Parents started noticing symptoms in their children as early as March, although it took several months for the issue to gain official attention. Reported symptoms include:

One parent, Mr. Liu, took his child to Xi’an for medical treatment after learning about the issue from other concerned families. His son is now undergoing a 10-day treatment program, raising concerns about long-term organ damage, particularly to the liver and digestive system.

What is lead poisoning

Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health issues—particularly in young children, whose bodies and brains are still developing. Lead exposure can damage the nervous system, impair brain development, and cause behavioral, learning, and physical health problems.

How are people exposed to lead

While the Tianshui case involved food contamination, lead is commonly found in:

Lead poisoning symptoms

In children:

In adults:

Diagnosing and treating lead poisoning

The condition is diagnosed through a blood lead test, which measures the concentration of lead in the bloodstream. As reported by Cleveland Clinic, a level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or higher is considered a concern in children.Treatment:

Prevention against lead poisoning

This case exposes significant gaps in food safety enforcement and institutional oversight in certain regions. While regulations exist, this tragedy underscores the need for more rigorous inspections, staff training, and penalties for negligence.Steps to prevent lead exposure:

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