The person responsible for ordering the use of inedible paint in food during a mass lead poisoning incident at a kindergarten in China last year has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the South China Morning Post (SCMP), and other outlets, the Intermediate People's Court of Lanzhou in Gansu Province handed down a life sentence on October 16 in the first-instance trial to a person surnamed Li, the actual person in charge of the kindergarten, for the crime of producing and selling toxic and harmful food.

Li was also sentenced to lifetime deprivation of political rights and the confiscation of 500,000 yuan (approximately 100 million won).

Hong Kong media reported that Li is the owner and investor of the kindergarten.

Additionally, an executive principal of the kindergarten, surnamed Zhu, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of 300,000 yuan (approximately 60 million won), while four kitchen staff members who participated in the crime under their instructions received prison terms ranging from six to eight years.

Previously, in July of last year, controversy erupted when 247 out of 251 children and 28 out of 34 faculty members at a kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu Province, received abnormal medical test results.

The issue came to light as the children complained of vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, hair loss, allergic reactions, and tooth discoloration.

Investigations revealed that the principal and others had ordered the purchase of paint to make the food colors appear more vibrant in photographs used for promotional materials to recruit children.

The kindergarten purchased inedible paint, mixed it into flour dough to make bread and other items, and served them as meals.

Reports indicated that although food coloring was cheaper, the kindergarten chose the problematic paint because it produced more vivid colors.

While the normal blood lead concentration standard for children set by Chinese authorities is 100 µg/L or lower, many of the children had levels reaching 200 to 500 µg/L.

Lead poisoning can cause irreversible damage to the brain and central nervous system, and in children, it can lead to decreased cognitive and attention skills as well as growth retardation.

(Photo: Getty Images)