Poisonous breakfast food sickened 115 people on Sunday in Qianxian County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, with four in critical condition, said local sources.

According to the sources, the 115 people all fell sick after having eaten mutton-and-bun soup, a local delicacy, at a canteen in the seat of Qianxian County.

Under the leadership of a special leading group set up to handle all affairs related to mass food poisoning, all the victims from the mass food poisoning have been sent to local hospitals where they are receiving medical treatment free of charge, said the sources.

Preliminary investigation shows the poisoning was caused by too much nitrite in the soup.

The canteen was ordered to shut down business and the owner was detained by the local police, said the sources.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2004)