Nursery owner in China jailed for life after hundreds of children poisoned

A nursery owner in China, Li Huifang, has been sentenced to life in prison for poisoning over 200 children with lead-tainted food at her Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province. The incident came to light in July 2025 when 247 pupils and staff exhibited abnormally high blood lead levels. It was discovered that the chefs at Heshi Peixin had used inedible paint to "enhance the look" of the meals, despite it being clearly marked as such.

The court ordered the confiscation of 500,000 yuan of Li's personal assets and found four other staff members guilty, receiving sentences ranging from six to eight years. The incident has prompted China to publish national guidelines for campus meal provision, including regular food testing and centralised procurement for flour, rice, and cooking oil.

Brief written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.