Chinese nursery owner jailed for life after more than 200 children were poisoned with lead

Li Huifang, who ran the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province, was sentenced to life in prison for producing and selling toxic food, according to Chinese state media. The court also ordered 500,000 yuan of her assets confiscated.

Lead in food samples, times the safety limit

2,000 times

Chefs had used inedible paint to make meals look more appealing to attract students, a report found. Food samples held lead 2,000 times China’s national safety limit.

The executive principal, Zhi Jinglin, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Four kitchen workers received sentences of six to eight years for adding toxic ingredients on their orders.

Background

In July 2025, 247 pupils and staff were found with abnormally high blood lead levels. Officials later found that dozens of provincial officials and hospital staff tried to cover it up by tampering with blood tests and taking bribes.