In brief
In Tianshui, Gansu, nursery owner Li Huifang and six staff members faced life and lengthy prison terms for routing over 200 children into lead‑laden meals. Chefs had deliberately added inedible paint and toxic ingredients to boost sales, prompting a nationwide outcry about food safety. Investigators uncovered blood‑lead levels 2,000 times above the national limit and a cover‑up attempt by officials. In response, Beijing has issued new guidelines mandating centralised procurement and routine testing for school‑camps meals.
A nursery owner and five staff members have been jailed after they were found to have poisoned more than 200 children with lead‑tainted food.
Li Huifang, who ran the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu, received a life sentence for producing and selling toxic foods. Five kitchen staff members were handed prison terms ranging from six to eight years, while the nursery’s executive principal, Zhi Jinglin, was sentenced to 15 years and fined 300,000 yuan.
The tragedy started in July 2025 when 247 pupils and staff fell ill. Subsequent blood tests revealed abnormally high lead levels in over 200 children.
Investigations showed that chefs intentionally added inedible paint marked “non‑edible” to meals to attract more students. Kitchen staff were told to incorporate toxic and harmful ingredients into menu items.
Food samples tested dramatically exceeded China’s safety limits, with lead concentrations reaching 1,052 mg/kg in red‑date cakes and 1,340 mg/kg in sausage corn buns—more than 2,000 times the national standard of 0.5 mg/kg.
Lead poisoning is particularly dangerous for children, the World Health Organization warns, as it can severely damage the brain and central nervous system.
Authorities also uncovered attempts by provincial officials and hospital staff to cover up the incident by tampering with blood tests and accepting bribes from a nursery investor.
In response, Beijing issued new national guidelines for campus meal provision, mandating that every new batch of food undergo testing and that flour, rice, and cooking oil be sourced only from centralised procurement points. The court also ordered the confiscation of 500,000 yuan (approximately £56,200) of Li Huifang’s personal assets.
