Terrible! Sounds like it happens a lot?
Gao Fei, director of food safety at the Heilongjiang Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said the toxic substance can often be fatal.
"It can cause serious damage to many human organs including the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain," Gao said. "Currently, there is no specific antidote. Once poisoned, the fatality rate can be as high as 40 to 100 percent."
The National Health Commission issued a warning Tuesday to avoid making and eating foods with fermented rice and flour, the state-run outlet China Daily reported.
"Using fresh and unspoiled food materials and frequently changing water when making food can reduce the risk of contamination, but it is best to avoid making and ingesting foods made of fermented grain entirely for safety concerns," the advisory said.