Kindergarten operator in China jailed for life after more than 200 children get lead poisoning
Five other staff were sentenced to jail as well.
A kindergarten operator in China, Li Huifang, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for violating national food safety regulations and adding inedible paint to children's meals to enhance their color and encourage consumption. In July 2025, 233 children at Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu Province, were found to have lead poisoning, with food samples containing up to 2,000 times the national safety limit of lead.
The investigation also revealed an attempt by provincial officials and hospital staff to cover up the incident by tampering with blood test results and accepting bribes. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead's toxic effects, which can lead to lasting health problems, especially in the development of the central nervous system.
Li Huifang was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined 500,000 yuan, while the kindergarten principal, Zhu Jinglin, received a 15-year sentence and a 30,000 yuan fine.
Brief written by urgent.news from Mothership's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
