A kindergarten headmaster has been sacked after giving children dairy drinks that allegedly made them ill, The Beijing News reported yesterday.

Tan Biyu has been dismissed from her post, said Xichuan Kindergarten, one of 30 kindergartens in Liuzhou City in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region that gave children beverages that caused a variety of symptoms, including headaches, bellyaches, vomiting and nosebleeds, it reported.

The kindergartens were supplied by Hongri Dairy Farm, and the labels on the containers said they were either milk-based or yogurt drinks, the paper said.

An initial investigation found that Hongri was not licensed to produce milk products, and the company did not respond to questions about its operational practices, it reported.

Tests showed that the products did not contain toxins or illegal additives, but protein levels were lower than normal, according to the Liuzhou food and drug watchdog.

The drinks were tested for the presence of 13 substances, including arsenic, lead, copper and benzoic acid. But parents have called for more detailed tests to check for microorganisms, it reported.

The company produced 10 dairy products and inspectors are investigating a range of possible violations, the paper said.

In the meantime, Hongri will have its license revoked and faces other serious penalties, said officials.

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