Food poisons more than 170, fast-food company ordered to close

A fast-food company in Songjiang District was ordered to close and is under investigation for a suspected food poisoning incident after more than 170 people were hospitalized, Shanghai authorities said on Friday.

The victims, who had diarrhea, were from six companies that had eaten cooked rice prepared by Shanghai Damuzhi Eatery Management Company. About 20 people are still in hospital.

Shanghai Food and Drug Administration authorities told their Songjiang counterparts to close down Shanghai Damuzhi, investigate the cause and punish those responsible.

Employees from Nissi High-Tech Services and Shanghai Meadville Electronics were among the victims. Nissi High-Tech Services told xinmin.cn that about 40 of its employees suffered food poisoning.

FDA officials said they would test food at Shanghai Damuzhi to determine what caused the food poisoning.