More than 200 children at a school in China have been found with abnormally high levels of lead in their blood after paint was added to their food – apparently to make it look more appealing.
The cook was caught by a surveillance camera in a kitchen in the northern Gansu province adding the colorant to a meal.
Worried parents have rushed to get their children tested, with the children’s centre near the city of Tianshui having been closed since the incident just over a week ago.
Some were concerned at the accuracy of test results at the local hospital and have travelled to a larger city to seek more clarity.
According to Xinhua news agency, the chef at the Heshi Peixin nursery had purchased the toxic ingredient online before adding it diluted to food, including in red date sponge cakes and corn rolls.
He then hid the rest of the pigments, which were later seized by the public safety bureau.
Tests later found that the food he had prepared contained more than 1000mg of lead per kilogram.
A total of 251 children were enrolled at the locally run nursery, of which 233 had been found to have abnormal levels of lead in their blood.
Eight people have now been arrested on suspicion of preparing toxic and harmful food, including Li Moufang and Zhu Moulin.
Two others have been bailed pending a trial.
Some locals believe authorities have a part in trying to cover up the scandal.
One told Sky News: ‘I don’t know much, but I think this is a cover up. I just think local government is too dark, the suppressed abuse.’
Another said: ‘There’s no clear evidence of a cover up, but it’s telling it’s what people expect.’
China has previously had major food safety scandals, including some affecting thousands of young children.
In 2008, infant milk powder formula made by the Sanlu Group was found to contain the chemical melamine in order to increase the product’s nitrogen level so it would pass quality controls.
Six babies died and another 300,000 children were identified as being affected by the scandal.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
