Food poisoning outbreak that left over 100 ill caused by sandwich pastries

Officials confirmed on Sunday that a food poisoning outbreak in Xishui county, Guizhou province, was caused by sandwich pastries and had sickened more than 100 people.

The Xishui government said that it had received reports on Wednesday from patients who sought hospital treatment after recently eating the sandwiches. The patients developed fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the statement.

An investigation found that the sandwiches were contaminated with Salmonella.

Authorities said the sandwiches were produced by a local food factory and sold at the company's eight outlets in Xishui from Sept 15 to 17. The factory sold three batches of the sandwiches to 137 customers, totaling 181 items. One hundred and eighty-seven people were reported to have eaten the product.

As of 5 pm on Sunday, 136 people were under hospital observation or receiving treatment, including 89 students and 10 preschool children. Reported symptoms included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and the statement added that patients' vital signs were stable.

On Wednesday evening, market regulators sealed production materials and remaining finished goods, collected samples for testing, and ordered the factory and its eight shops to suspend operations.

The market regulation, health, and public security departments are continuing their investigations into the incident.