On the evening of September 16, after dining at the cafeteria, students at Zhizhi Middle School in Dongdaihe New District, Suizhong County, Huludao City, Liaoning Province, suffered collective vomiting and diarrhea. According to the receiving hospital, more than 80 students sought medical treatment. Official notices stated that the incident was acute gastroenteritis caused by improper cooking and food handling in the cafeteria. Some parents revealed that the principal said only 7 yuan of the meal fee would be refunded. Several parents went to the school to protest, but school officials did not come forward to respond.