poisoning which may have affected as many as 200 people.

It is understood more than 100 people who attended a retirement party last Saturday were stricken with bouts of vomiting and abdominal pain after going home.

And dozens of guests at a catered wedding reception the same day also came down with food poisoning.

Health inspector Mr. Patrick Mayers confirmed the outbreaks, saying inspectors were investigating them.

He said he would know more today as to exactly how many were affected and what the cause was.

Mr. Mayers did not know whether the two functions were catered by the same company.

It is understood the retiree for which the party was held has been bed-ridden since and many of the party goers went to work on Monday still feeling under the weather.

"Food poisoning affects different people in different ways,'' Mr. Mayers said. "The young and old and those with illnesses seem to suffer more.'' One of the people who attended the retirement party told The Royal Gazette she suspected it was the potato salad that was off.

She had to go to hospital suffering dehydration due to vomiting.

Not wanting to give her name, she said she was kept on an IV for several hours before being discharged.

Her husband also suffered an attack, but was able to work yesterday. She said about 200 people had attended the party in all.

A hospital spokesman confirmed at least three people came into the Emergency Ward with food poisoning symptoms on Saturday night.