World · Sri Lanka Bureau
China nursery owner sentenced to life for poisoning over 200 children
A kindergarten operator in northwestern China has been handed a life sentence after more than 200 children were poisoned through contaminated food served at her facility. Li Huifang and five staff members at the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten were convicted of producing and distributing food containing dangerous levels of lead.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Li Huifang, who operated the Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province, received a life prison sentence for her role in what authorities described as the production and sale of toxic and harmful food products. Five members of her staff also faced criminal charges in connection with the incident that affected more than 200 young children.
The case emerged from an investigation into lead poisoning among pupils at the facility, with health officials determining that contaminated food served at the nursery was responsible for exposing the children to dangerous levels of the toxic metal. Lead poisoning in children can cause serious developmental and neurological damage, making the severity of the charges warranted under Chinese law.
The convictions represent one of several high-profile food safety cases in China in recent years. The incident has raised fresh concerns about oversight and safety standards in childcare facilities across the country, with authorities emphasizing stricter enforcement of food safety regulations in educational institutions.
The sentences handed down against Li Huifang and her staff reflect China's commitment to pursuing serious food safety violations, particularly those affecting vulnerable populations such as young children.