NANCHANG - Forty-eight people were in hospital Thursday after suffering from food poisoning in East China's Jiangxi province, said local authorities.

The victims suffered from bellyaches and nausea after attending a private banquet in Tianhe restaurant Wednesday, according to Ganzhou city government.

A primary investigation found that food served during the banquet was contaminated.

The city government has sent a team of experts to look into the case.

Wednesday also saw a similar case in which three people died, with around 40 others receiving medical treatment after eating food that was suspected to be contaminated in Gansu province.