Lead exposure prompts school food safety inspections

Local governments across China have begun conducting food safety inspections at kindergartens following an incident in Tianshui, Gansu province, where more than 200 children at a kindergarten were found to have high blood lead levels after consuming meals containing diluted industrial pigments.

The incident at Peixin Kindergarten shocked many, as teachers, students and even the principal, who allegedly ordered the canteen staff to add the pigments, were found to have high lead levels.

According to a report released on Sunday, local authorities and a hospital reportedly worked together to cover up the case. Six people have been arrested, and 27 others, including senior health and education officials in Tianshui and its Maiji district, are under investigation.