China's top market regulator released a draft regulation recently aimed at tightening food safety oversight in kindergartens nationwide, introducing strict requirements that range from ingredient bans to real-time kitchen monitoring.

　　The proposed rule, jointly drafted by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Education, mandates a principal responsibility system for kindergarten food safety and establishes daily, weekly and monthly control and inspection mechanisms designed to create a comprehensive risk-prevention framework across the entire food supply chain.

　　China has 253,300 kindergartens serving nearly 35.84 million children, according to official data.

　　The move follows a series of alarming food safety incidents at kindergartens in recent years that have sparked widespread public concern.

　　In one case, more than 200 children at a kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu province, were found to have elevated lead levels in their blood in July 2025. Investigators determined that the kindergarten had added industrial pigments to food to make it more visually appealing. Some samples contained lead levels more than 2,000 times above the national safety limit. Six suspects were arrested and 17 officials faced disciplinary investigation.

　　In another incident in October 2024 at a kindergarten in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, 48 children contracted norovirus after experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Parents who reviewed kitchen surveillance footage reported serious hygiene violations, and the kindergarten was later found to be operating without a valid license.

　　In line with the draft regulation, kindergartens would be required to appoint dedicated food safety personnel with clearly defined responsibilities.