Authorities in Gansu province are investigating a significant lead poisoning incident at Peixin Kindergarten, where over 200 children fell ill due to toxic food.
Lead Poisoning Scandal Uncovered in China’s Peixin Kindergarten
Lead Poisoning Scandal Uncovered in China’s Peixin Kindergarten
An investigation reveals massive cover-up involving provincial officials in a lead poisoning case that affected hundreds of children.
The findings detail how officials manipulated blood test results and ignored safety protocols to attract more enrollment, which has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability.
In an unsettling revelation, provincial authorities in China have uncovered a widespread cover-up concerning lead poisoning at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, Gansu province. An investigation indicated that numerous provincial officials and hospital staff colluded to conceal the severity of the outbreak, which has affected at least 235 children who consumed tainted meals there.
The scandal emerged after it was discovered that staff members at the kindergarten had used inedible paint to make meals appear more appealing, driven by pressure to increase student enrollment. The food, which included steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns, was later found to contain lead concentrations that exceeded national safety limits by a staggering 2,000 times.
As the investigation unfolds, it has been revealed that city officials accepted bribes from a private investor linked to Peixin and neglected their responsibilities to conduct food safety inspections across various preschools. So far, eight individuals have been detained, including the kindergarten’s principal and several staff members, while another 17 officials remain under investigation for their roles in the cover-up and dereliction of duty in managing the situation.
The Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, instructed to examine students and staff after symptoms arose, failed to manage the testing process appropriately, leading to distorted test results. This has heightened public scrutiny as residents call for accountability from the involved officials.
In contrast to provincial responses, the central government reacted promptly, forming an expert panel to investigate the lapses in safety protocols in educational institutions. Following this incident, new national guidelines have been instituted, mandating that all food served in schools undergo rigorous testing before use.
Additionally, Tianshui authorities have announced plans for free medical treatment for affected children and legal aid for families, along with the temporary management of Peixin by a state-owned kindergarten to ensure safety. As this situation continues to develop, the Chinese public remains vigilant, demanding justice and systemic changes to prevent future occurrences of such negligence in child safety.
In an unsettling revelation, provincial authorities in China have uncovered a widespread cover-up concerning lead poisoning at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, Gansu province. An investigation indicated that numerous provincial officials and hospital staff colluded to conceal the severity of the outbreak, which has affected at least 235 children who consumed tainted meals there.
The scandal emerged after it was discovered that staff members at the kindergarten had used inedible paint to make meals appear more appealing, driven by pressure to increase student enrollment. The food, which included steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns, was later found to contain lead concentrations that exceeded national safety limits by a staggering 2,000 times.
As the investigation unfolds, it has been revealed that city officials accepted bribes from a private investor linked to Peixin and neglected their responsibilities to conduct food safety inspections across various preschools. So far, eight individuals have been detained, including the kindergarten’s principal and several staff members, while another 17 officials remain under investigation for their roles in the cover-up and dereliction of duty in managing the situation.
The Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, instructed to examine students and staff after symptoms arose, failed to manage the testing process appropriately, leading to distorted test results. This has heightened public scrutiny as residents call for accountability from the involved officials.
In contrast to provincial responses, the central government reacted promptly, forming an expert panel to investigate the lapses in safety protocols in educational institutions. Following this incident, new national guidelines have been instituted, mandating that all food served in schools undergo rigorous testing before use.
Additionally, Tianshui authorities have announced plans for free medical treatment for affected children and legal aid for families, along with the temporary management of Peixin by a state-owned kindergarten to ensure safety. As this situation continues to develop, the Chinese public remains vigilant, demanding justice and systemic changes to prevent future occurrences of such negligence in child safety.
