In an attempt to make its food look more colourful and attract more pupils, a kindergarten in western China added paint to its food, resulting in abnormally high levels of lead being detected in the blood of more than 200 children, reports AP.
The case highlights long-running food safety concerns in China.
State broadcaster CCTV said the the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten had bought the paint online and added it while preparing the food. High levels of lead were found in a three-colour breakfast cake and a sausage dish for dinner.
Of the 251 pupils at the school, 233 had abnormal lead levels, with 201 receiving hospital treatment, the report said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says exposure is “particularly harmful” to young children, including in the development of the central nervous system.
“There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects,” the agency says.
Eight people, including the headmaster, have been detained.
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