Sourced fact
The News
The Lanzhou Intermediate People's Court in Gansu Province sentenced Li Hifang, owner of the Heshi Pixun kindergarten, to life in prison after she was found guilty of poisoning more than 200 children with food contaminated with lead. According to the official Xinhua news agency, Li was convicted of producing and selling toxic food. In July 2025, it was discovered that 247 children and staff members at the kindergarten were suffering from abnormally high levels of lead in their blood after the children began to feel ill.
The investigation revealed that the kindergarten's chefs used inedible paint to improve the appearance of meals, which attracted more students. According to the report, samples of food were found to contain lead levels 2,000 times higher than the national maximum allowed in China. The kindergarten's executive director, Zhi Jingen, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 300,000 yuan.
Additionally, four other kitchen staff members were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to eight years. The investigation found high levels of lead in fig cakes and sausage and corn cookies, with lead levels in the cakes at 1,052 mg per kg and in the cookies at 1,340 mg per kg, both exceeding the national maximum limit significantly.
According to the World Health Organization, lead poisoning "is particularly damaging to young children and can cause severe damage to the brain and central nervous system." The investigation also uncovered attempts by provincial officials and hospital staff to cover up the incident by falsifying blood tests and accepting bribes from the kindergarten’s investor.
In response to the incident, China issued a national guide for providing meals in educational institutions, including mandatory testing of every new food shipment and purchasing flour, rice, and oil from centralized purchasing points only.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
From an analytical perspective, the life sentence for the kindergarten owner underscores the severity of food poisoning on children's health. Lead poisoning can have devastating effects on the brain and central nervous system, especially in young children. In a broader context, this incident highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight of food quality provided to children in educational institutions. Finally, the investigations revealed attempts by government officials and medical staff to cover up the incident, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in China's healthcare and educational systems.
