World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Kindergarten operator jailed for life over lead poisoning in China
A court in China sentenced a kindergarten operator to life in prison for serving food contaminated with lead.
The case involves Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, in Gansu province.
In July 2025, more than 200 students had abnormally high blood lead levels, and over 20 staff members were also affected.
The court found that operator Li Huifang and executive principal Zhu Jinglin told four kitchen workers to add toxic substances to food.
Media reports said lead-containing pigments were added to make the food look brighter.
The poisoning put young children at risk of brain and nervous system damage from lead exposure.
Zhu was sentenced to 15 years, while the kitchen workers received terms of six to eight years; the court also ordered Li’s personal assets confiscated.
A court in China sentenced kindergarten operator Li Huifang to life in prison for serving food containing lead to children and staff.
The Lanzhou Intermediate People’s Court also sentenced the kindergarten’s executive principal to 15 years and four kitchen workers to six to eight years.
The court found that Li and the principal instructed the kitchen workers to add toxic substances to food.
In July 2025, more than 200 students and more than 20 staff members were found to have abnormally high blood lead levels.
- Who
- Kindergarten operator Li Huifang, executive principal Zhu Jinglin and four kitchen workers were sentenced.
- What
- They were sentenced over food containing toxic substances that caused lead exposure. Li received a life sentence.
- When
- The court issued the sentences on Friday, October 16, 2026. The elevated blood lead levels were found in July 2025.
- Where
- Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province, China.
- Why
- The court found that Li and Zhu instructed kitchen workers to add toxic and harmful substances to food consumed by children and staff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 200 students and over 20 staff members were found to have abnormally high blood lead levels.
The Lanzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Li Huifang, Zhu Jinglin and four kitchen workers.
- Operator
- Li Huifang was sentenced to life in prison.
- Principal
- Zhu Jinglin was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Kitchen workers
- Four workers received prison terms of six to eight years.
- Affected students
- More than 200 students had abnormally high blood lead levels.
- Affected staff
- More than 20 staff members had abnormally high blood lead levels.
- Kindergarten
- Heshi Peixin Kindergarten, Tianshui, Gansu province
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Lead poisoning is one of the world's most serious yet overlooked environmental health threats