Major Lead Poisoning Cover-Up Uncovered in China’s Kindergarten Scandal

In a shocking report, authorities in Gansu province, China, have identified a cover-up involving dozens of officials in a lead poisoning incident affecting 235 children at Peixin Kindergarten, highlighting negligence and corruption in food safety practices.

An official investigation has revealed a widespread cover-up regarding a lead poisoning incident that affected 235 children at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, Gansu province. Provincial authorities reported that numerous local officials and hospital staff actively participated in efforts to conceal the scale of the poisoning, leading to extensive public outrage.

Peixin Kindergarten's management used inedible paint to improve the appearance of meals served to children in a bid to boost enrollment, ultimately resulting in food samples containing lead at levels 2,000 times higher than national safety standards. As per the investigation report, city officials received bribes from an investor linked to the kindergarten while failing to conduct necessary food safety inspections across various preschools.

Initial detentions included eight individuals associated with the wrongdoing, of whom six—identifying key figures such as the principal and cooks—have since been arrested. The report also highlighted that 10 officials will undergo "formal accounting procedures," with an additional 17 under investigation for their roles in the incident.

In July, news broke that 235 students were hospitalized for lead poisoning after consuming tainted foods like steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns. Fortunately, as of Sunday, 234 of the affected children have been discharged. However, the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control's lack of seriousness in conducting tests on the students and staff raised serious concerns, with allegations of a severe violation of procedural protocols.

The report criticized Tianshui No. 2 People's Hospital for its poor management of the case, calling it "chaotic," while it also drew a distinction between the local government’s failures and the swift response from the central government, which promptly convened an expert panel to address the situation.

In light of this incident, China issued new national guidelines for campus meal provision, stressing the importance of testing all new food batches. Authorities in Tianshui have also committed to providing free medical treatment for the children affected by lead poisoning and offering legal assistance to families impacted by this distressing scandal. Meanwhile, Peixin Kindergarten will be temporarily managed by a state-owned institution as a response to the incident.