A shocking case of mass lead poisoning has rocked northwest China, where more than 200 children from a private kindergarten fell ill after consuming food decorated with non-edible industrial dye.

According to the BBC, 233 children from the Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, tested for elevated levels of lead in their blood. The contamination is linked to sweet date bread and sausage-corn buns served at the school. Authorities confirmed that eight individuals have been arrested, including the school’s director and principal investor, facing serious criminal charges.

The scandal broke after laboratory analysis revealed that food samples contained lead levels up to 2,000 times higher than the national safety limit.

Police reports indicate the school director instructed kitchen staff to purchase the dye online, despite packaging clearly stating it was not food-safe. Following the children’s illnesses, officers discovered stockpiles of the illegal dye hidden on the premises.

“I’m deeply worried about long-term liver and digestive damage to my child,” a father told the BBC. Mr. Liu transferred his son to a hospital in Xi’an for further treatment, after hearing warnings from other parents. The child now requires at least ten days of medical care and medication.

Local media also released CCTV footage showing kitchen staff adding coloring agents to the food.

It remains unclear for how long the hazardous dyes were used in school meals. However, several parents reported that as early as March, their children complained of stomach pain, leg aches, and loss of appetite, raising concerns that the exposure may have lasted for months.