Chaos at MCG Anzac Day lunch guests suffer suspected food poisoning

Businessman with stomach ache

The AFL and the Essendon Bombers Football Club have been left red-faced after more than 30 attendees came down with suspected food poisoning during an Anzac Day lunch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Seven guests at the president’s lunch, which was hosted in the MCG’s Olympic Room by the AFL and Essendon Bombers ahead of the team’s clash with the Collingwood Magpies, were taken to hospital gastrointestinal symptoms after being treated by paramedics, according to ABC News.

Jane Clifton, who was performing as an entertainer at the $725-per-head lunch (which included the game), told ABC News that people “started fainting” after eating the rabbit terrine entrée.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was also in attendance, and told Melbourne radio station 3AW that he saw some people “fainting”, “distressed” and “light-headed”.

A Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman said it was investigating to determine the cause of the incidents and, along with its catering partner Epicure, was cooperating with the Department of Health and Human Services’ investigation.

“There have been no reports of ongoing illness so DHHS believe this is an isolated event,” the spokesman told ABC News.

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