Chinese kindergartens ‘served rotten, worm-infested food’ to children, two people detained
Education officials say 765 children have had health check-ups after food safety scares at three privately owned schools
Police and education authorities in east China are investigating allegations that rotten and out-of-date food was served to children at three privately run kindergartens.
The controversy came to light on September 19 when parents accused staff at the Tongxin Kindergarten in Wuhu, Anhui province, of serving their children rice infested with black worms for their lunch, and using vinegar that was more than a year out of date.
Market regulation officials investigated the matter and substantiated the parents’ allegations. They then carried out checks at the Dedebei Kindergarten, which is operated by the same company, and discovered similar problems.
Officials then visited the Mingzhu Kindergarten – following similar complaints from parents – and identified a number of food safety violations.
As a result of the investigations, the director of the Tongxin and Dedebei schools was detained, along with an employee responsible for food production.