(Yicai) Nov. 21 -- More than 100 Chinese exhibitors who traveled to Germany to attend the ongoing Trade Fair for Medical Technology & Healthcare, better known as the MEDICA Trade Fair, have fallen ill with food poisoning, Xinhua Agency reported.

An initial investigation points to food safety issues with boxed meals provided by a local Chinese restaurant, according to a statement by China’s Consulate General in Dusseldorf. At least four people were hospitalized, but there were no serious injuries or deaths.

The Consulate General said it estimates over 100 people were affected, but the exact number is still being verified. Those who were hospitalized are now in stable condition. The consulate is in discussions with the restaurant believed to be involved and has set up a task force to follow up on the incident.

Each boxed meal cost a hefty EUR20 (USD23) and some of those who fell ill had to go to the toilet over 40 times in one night, Yangtze Evening Post reported, citing exhibitors. A person in charge of a booth spent most of the next day in the toilet, making it difficult for visitors to speak to a company representative, a netizen posted on Chinese lifestyle content platform Xiaohongshu.

The restaurant involved, called Brothers’ Barbecue, issued an apology on social media on Nov. 19. It said that it had prepared 500 boxed meals and admitted to serious mistakes during the preparation of the meals, including not thawing and cooking the meat properly, which led to a large number of customers experiencing discomfort after eating.

The restaurant said that it has taken multiple measures to remedy the situation, such as purchasing and distributing medicine as well as helping to send those with more severe symptoms to hospital for treatment.

Many of the affected, though, are not satisfied. They accuse the restaurant of downplaying the situation and failing to explain the real cause of the food poisoning. Many people said that they noticed that the meat in their meals tasted sour or smelled off, something that was probably not due to incomplete thawing.

The 2025 Dusseldorf MEDICA Trade Fair kicked off at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Center on Nov. 17. The fair focuses on advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Over 1,300 Chinese companies are attending, showcasing their innovative products and services. The four-day event has attracted over 80,000 professionals from more than 160 countries and regions.

Editor: Kim Taylor