What exactly caused footy fans to fall ill at MCG’s Anzac Day lunch

It was the infamous high-priced lunch that had footy fans “dropping like flies” at the MCG on Anzac Day. And after a marathon investigation, health authorities have revealed what caused diners to fall violently ill — sort of.

The Olympic Room where the lunch took place. Photo: MCG/Supplied

Footy fans who were “dropping like flies” during a high-priced lunch at the MCG on Anzac Day may never know exactly what caused their violent illness.

But the now-infamous terrine has been given the all-clear as the culprit.

Despite various conspiracy theories floating around since April 25, a relish served with the rabbit, chicken and pork entree has been pinpointed as the probable cause.

After three months of investigating, Victoria’s chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said the dramatic and sudden illness of 38 people was likely the relish, which was made up of quince, fig jam and barberries.

Bombers supporters were mostly affected by illness. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty

“In the course or interviewing more than 100 people it’s been identified the relish is almost certainly the cause,” Dr Sutton told reporters today.

“People were 12 times were more likely to become unwell if they had the relish than if they hadn’t.

“In the fashion of a true food-borne mystery, it was the relish in the Olympic Room at high noon on Anzac Day.”

The Department of Health and Human Services revealed that one staff member ate the relish and was among the people affected during Essendon’s $725-a-head President’s lunch.

Symptoms of acute gastroenteritis took hold of some people almost immediately after eating.

A number of people were treated by paramedics at the ground as Collingwood hung on for a controversial and thrilling four-point win.

The Bombers experienced pain on and off the field on Anzac Day. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Seven people headed to hospital but were sent home from the emergency room and made a full recovery the next day.

Dr Sutton said it was unlikely a sick staff member had contaminated the food.

“The outbreak certainly had all the features of a toxin...(they) classically cause people to become unwell in a short period of time,” he said.

“Even though it was very dramatic, it was relatively benign in how foodborne outbreaks can go.

“I suspect that something in that relish, barberries or the fig jam, carried a toxin at the time and the boiling water that was used in the processing wasn’t sufficient to kill it.”

Another theory was that the heating system played a role, but Dr Sutton said he was “very confident” a chemical or gas leak wasn’t to blame.

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“There are often many limitations in foodborne disease outbreak investigations, so it is not unusual for an investigation such as this to result in an inconclusive outcome,” he said.

Barberries used in the relish were taken off the market while the investigation took place, but have now been released back into stores.

“In this circumstance, I think it’s just pure bad luck,” Dr Sutton said.

Dr Brett Sutton. Picture: Alex Murray/AAP Image

Essendon great Kevin Sheedy, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Governor Linda Dessau were among the guests in the room at the time.

McGuire told listeners of his Triple M Hot Breakfast show the following day that guests were “dropping like flies”.

“As we stood outside for the minute’s silence, people were fair dinkum hitting the deck left, right and centre around me. I hear collapses against the door and the windows,” he said.

Eddie McGuire witnessed the carnage first-hand. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AAP

“I didn’t see anyone throwing up but 14 people hit the deck before the opening bounce.”

The MCC and catering partner Epicure said they accept the health department’s findings and extra precautionary measures have been put in place since the outbreak.

“We are deeply disappointed that this incident occurred and express our sincerest apologies to those patrons affected on ANZAC Day,’ the MCC and Epicure said via a joint statement.

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@ollycaffrey