More than 70 children fell ill from food poisoning Tuesday at a kindergarten in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province.

The kids began to experience fever, diarrhea and vomiting after their noon nap. They were rushed to Bethune International Peace Hospital. By 9:00 p.m., about half of the children had been discharged.

The hospital reported no fatalities and listed all children in stable condition.

Sources from the kindergarten said the children ate beans, ham and cold food made from potato starch at lunch. Medical staff from the local epidemic prevention station had collected samples of vomit for further investigation.

The cause of the food poisoning is still under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2003)