Investigation of a food poisoning event after eating watermelon

From 15 to 18 May 2013, 16 people developed gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms after eating watermelon and some people sought medical care in local hospital in Fengtai district, Beijing. Based on the results of epidemiological investigation, we found that the watermelon came from the same wholesaler. Toluene and xylene were detected in the blood samples of some patients and watermelon samples. The food poisoning occurred after eating watermelon was related with orgnaophosphorus and carbamate pesticides, but further investigation is needed to determine the exact pesticide.