Imagine the terror a parent feels when their child, usually full of energy, suddenly complains of a sick stomach. Now, multiply that fear by more than two hundred. That is exactly what happened recently in Tianshui city. More than two hundred young children from a local kindergarten were found to have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood.
The alarm bells first rang when parents noticed their children falling ill with symptoms like stomach pain and nausea. Some even reported their children’s teeth turning black. As more children showed similar signs, local authorities stepped in. They quickly began investigating Peixin Kindergarten, where the children attended school.
Initial tests on 251 students at Peixin Kindergarten revealed disturbing results. Lead levels were “abnormal” in 233 of them. Most shockingly, 201 of these children needed hospital care. Investigators swiftly ruled out other nearby schools, such as Weibei, Qiao, and Mengdiao kindergartens, where test results for children and food came back normal. This meant the problem was very specific to Peixin.
The investigation soon pinpointed the cause: the food served at the kindergarten. Of 223 food samples tested, only two failed, both from Peixin Kindergarten. One was a leftover breakfast item, a “three-color red date steamed flour,” and the other was a dinner meal, “sausage-rolled corn bread.” These items carried lead levels of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram, respectively. To put that in perspective, the national food safety standard for lead in food is a mere 0.5 milligrams per kilogram. These levels were astronomically higher.
The most disturbing discovery, however, was that the contamination was not accidental. According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, the school’s director, identified by the surname Zhu, and the owner, identified by the surname Li, reportedly instructed kitchen staff to buy non-edible food coloring online. This coloring was then diluted and mixed into the children’s meals.
On July 3rd, police moved in and found hidden packets of this coloring. Tests confirmed it contained lead, and the packaging clearly stated it was “not for consumption.” Video footage from security cameras reportedly showed kitchen staff adding a yellow-colored powder from a packet into the dough used for the contaminated foods.
The authorities have acted swiftly. Eight individuals, including Director Zhu and owner Li, have been detained. They face serious charges related to producing poisonous and harmful food. Two other people involved have been released on bail while awaiting further legal action. An expert medical team has been formed to ensure all affected children receive the best possible treatment.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant need for vigilance in food safety. While food standards have generally improved across the nation, this case echoes past public outrage over food scandals, such as the discovery of cooking oil being transported in fuel trucks. It leaves parents everywhere grappling with a fundamental question: how can they truly trust that their children are safe, even in places meant to nurture them?
