
China kindergarten poisoning: Investigation finds cover-up as six arrested
Food samples were later found to contain lead 2,000 times in excess of the national safety limit.Eight people were initially detained for their involvement in producing the toxic snacks. Six of them - including the kindergarten's principal, cooks, and an investor - have been arrested, according to the report. Ten other officials will face "formal accounting procedures" while another 17 people are under disciplinary investigation.Authorities revealed on 8 July that 235 children from the privately-owned kindergarten were being treated in hospital for lead poisoning after eating steamed red date cakes and sausage corn buns. As of Sunday, 234 of them have been discharged.The Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was ordered to test 267 students and staff at Peixin after some showed symptoms earlier this month, but officials "did not take the work seriously". The person in charge of the tests "seriously violated operating procedures, which distorted the results", according to the report.The report named several people under investigation and set out lead concentrations of various food samples, among other details.It also accused staff at the Tianshui No. 2 People's Hospital of "serious dereliction of duty" and described the institution's management of the case as "chaotic". The Chinese internet paid keen attention to the report, with some commending what they see as transparent disclosure and others asking for perpetrators in this case to be held accountable. In contrast to its chiding of provincial and city-level officials, the report said there was "quick response" from the central government, which convened an expert panel "at the earliest opportunity" to review any gaps in procedures.On Monday, China published a set of national guidelines for the provision of meals on campuses. Among other things, it mandates that every new batch of food must be tested, and that rice, flour and cooking oil must be bought at centralised procurement points. Authorities in Tianshui have also announced that children suffering from lead poisoning can receive free treatment at designated hospitals and legal assistance will be made available to affected families. Peixin will be temporarily managed by a state-owned kindergarten.
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These can be remembered through the acronym FAST: Face – your face may have dropped on one side, you may not be able to smile, or your mouth or eye may have drooped. Arms – you may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there, because of weakness or numbness in one arm. Speech – your speech may be slurred or garbled, or you may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; you may also have problems understanding what people are saying to you. Time – it's time for someone to call 999 immediately if they notice any of these signs or symptoms in you. "Mini strokes" can also occasionally cause different symptoms, including: Complete paralysis of one side of the body Sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision Vertigo Being sick Dizziness Confusion Difficulty understanding what others are saying Problems with balance and co-ordination Difficulty swallowing You should call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else has symptoms of a TIA or stroke. Even if the symptoms disappear while you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you still need to be assessed at hospital and you should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of your symptoms starting. In March 2025, she was diagnosed with iatrogenic botulism after doctors pinned the timing and correlation of her symptoms to her Dysport injections. "It was a bittersweet moment," she said. "But there is no cure and no promise that I will be 100 per cent back to normal." More awareness needed Two years later, Amanda still suffers daily with lasting effects. She said: "I still get the occasional dizziness and I have changed my diet completely to make sure nothing bad is going in me. "I've cut out caffeine, soda, and even had my breast implants taken out in April to allow my body to detoxify itself. "I don't care about my wrinkles at all now and I'm getting more active and able to do more things with my family. "But now I want to create more awareness about the dangers of botulinum neurotoxins. "Hopefully, I can help prevent this from happening to others." Botulinum: Everything you need to know Botulinum toxin, commonly known by the brand name Botox, is a powerful substance used for medical and cosmetic treatments. While Botox is generally safe when administered by trained professionals, it carries a risk of botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. What is botulism? Botulism is a life-threatening illness that causes muscle paralysis. It can occur when botulinum toxin spreads beyond the intended area during medical or cosmetic procedures. This condition, called iatrogenic botulism, can affect breathing and swallowing and requires urgent medical treatment. Common symptoms of botulism Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after exposure to the toxin. Watch out for: Difficulty swallowing or speaking Dry mouth Muscle weakness or paralysis Drooping eyelids Blurred or double vision Difficulty breathing If you experience any of these symptoms after a botulinum toxin treatment, seek immediate medical advice. Causes and risks Botulinum toxin is used in small, controlled doses for conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating, and cosmetic wrinkle flattening. However, if the toxin spreads or is injected incorrectly, it can lead to serious complications. The risk is higher when unlicensed or counterfeit products are used or when treatments are done by unqualified practitioners. Treatment Botulism requires urgent hospital care. Doctors may give an antitoxin to stop the toxin from causing more harm. Supportive treatments, including mechanical ventilation, may be needed if breathing muscles are affected. Prevention To stay safe, only get botulinum toxin injections from licensed healthcare professionals. Make sure the product is approved and ask questions about the procedure beforehand. If something feels wrong during or after your treatment, seek medical help immediately. Source: NHS