Kindergarten head sentenced to life imprisonment over lead poisoning of 247 children in NW China

LANZHOU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A court in northwest China's Gansu Province on Friday sentenced six people for producing and selling toxic and harmful food, which poisoned 247 pre-schoolers at a kindergarten in Tianshui City, with the kindergarten's person in charge receiving life imprisonment.

Li Huifang, the person in charge of the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji District, and Zhu Jinglin, the executive principal, instructed and organized the addition of toxic materials to food served to children and staff, to make it appear more colorful and attractive for marketing.

According to a verdict issued by the Intermediate People's Court of Lanzhou City in Gansu, Li was sentenced to life imprisonment, deprived of political rights for life, and had 500,000 yuan (about 74,000 U.S. dollars) in personal property confiscated. Zhu received 15 years in prison and a fine of 300,000 yuan. Four kitchen workers were sentenced to between six and eight years in prison, each with fines, for carrying out the instructions.

According to a provincial investigation report released in July 2025, these pastries had been served to children and staff on a monthly basis since May 2024. Of 251 children tested, 247 had abnormal blood lead levels. All 247 children with abnormal blood lead levels received hospitalization or home-based nutritional intervention. By July 20, 2025, most of the affected children had completed their first treatment course and had been discharged from hospitals.

Clinical evaluation by experts demonstrated an average decrease of 40.21 percent in blood lead levels following treatment, achieving the projected therapeutic targets.

According to the July investigation report, provincial disciplinary authorities have investigated 10 local officials, including the provincial health commission director and Tianshui city leaders. The Gansu provincial government has pledged full support for the children's medical care.