A government investigation in China has revealed a large-scale cover-up involving the lead poisoning of over 200 children at a kindergarten in the city of Tianshui, Gansu province. The scandal, which has provoked public outrage, involved tampered blood test results, bribes, and blatant disregard for food safety standards.

Officials Tampered with Test Results

According to a report released by Gansu provincial authorities, dozens of local officials, hospital staff, and kindergarten personnel were complicit in trying to suppress the severity of the incident. Investigators found that student blood test results were manipulated to downplay the extent of lead poisoning among children at Peixin Kindergarten.

The Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, tasked with testing 267 students and staff after symptoms of poisoning emerged earlier this month, was found to have “seriously violated procedures,” leading to distorted test outcomes. The person overseeing the testing was specifically blamed for mishandling the process.

Toxic Meals “Enhanced” with Inedible Paint

The investigation revealed that meals served at Peixin Kindergarten were intentionally made to look more appealing using inedible industrial paint. The goal, officials say, was to boost the kindergarten’s image and attract more student enrollments. These artificially colored foods—such as steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns—contained lead levels up to 2,000 times higher than the national safety limit.

The tainted food led to 235 children being hospitalized with lead poisoning. As of Sunday, 234 of them have been discharged, though many face potential long-term health consequences.

Arrests and Disciplinary Action

Authorities have arrested six individuals in connection with the case, including the kindergarten’s principal, several cooks, and one investor. Two others have been detained, while 10 officials face formal accountability procedures. Seventeen more are under internal disciplinary review.

City officials in Tianshui were also accused of accepting bribes from investors tied to the kindergarten and of neglecting routine food safety inspections across multiple preschools in the area.

Hospital staff at Tianshui No. 2 People’s Hospital were also criticized for “serious dereliction of duty” and a “chaotic” response to the emerging crisis.

Public Reaction and Government Response

Online reaction in China has been swift and vocal. While some citizens have praised the transparency of the investigation, others are demanding that those responsible face the full weight of the law.

In contrast to the failures at the local level, the report highlighted a “swift response” from the central government. A national expert panel was convened to identify gaps in oversight and suggest reforms.

New Guidelines Introduced

In response to the scandal, Chinese authorities have rolled out new national food safety guidelines for schools. The rules require testing of every new batch of food and mandate centralized procurement of staples like rice, flour, and cooking oil.

In Tianshui, officials have announced that all affected children will receive free medical treatment at designated hospitals and will have access to legal aid. The Peixin Kindergarten will now be temporarily managed by a state-run institution.

The investigation has exposed deep flaws in local food safety enforcement and accountability. As the country grapples with the fallout, many are calling for tougher laws and more stringent checks to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.