(Adnkronos) – A serious case of lead poisoning has affected the Peixin kindergarten in the city of Tianshui, in northwestern China, where at least 233 children have shown abnormal levels of lead in their blood after consuming contaminated sweets. According to state television Cctv, 201 pupils are currently hospitalized. Tests carried out on date cakes and corn rolls served at breakfast and during meals revealed lead concentrations over 2,000 times the legal limits: 1,052 mg/kg for the cakes and 1,340 mg/kg for the rolls, against a national limit of 0.5 mg/kg.
Investigations led to the arrest of the kindergarten director, Mrs. Zhu, and an investor, Mr. Li, along with six other staff members. According to the authorities, the kitchen staff used industrial pigments bought online, labeled as non-edible, to color the dough. Surveillance camera footage shows the addition of the yellow dye to a flour mixture.
