'Worse than giving childbirth': 700 Airbus employees report sickness post Christmas dinner

• Approximately 700 employees fell ill after attending a Christmas dinner hosted by Airbus Atlantic in western France
• French health authorities have initiated an investigation, after attendees reported "clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhoea" 
• One employee described the experience as exceptionally painful, surpassing the pain of childbirth

Approximately 700 employees of Airbus Atlantic experienced a sudden illness after attending a Christmas dinner hosted by the company at an on-site restaurant in Montoir-de-Bretagne, western France. The dinner, featuring an array of delicacies such as lobster, scallops, gone gars, and tournedos, took place on December 14.

French health authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, as a significant number of attendees, constituting around 700 out of the total 2,600, reported "clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhoea" following the dinner. The cause behind this widespread illness is yet to be determined. 

Despite the considerable impact on the affected employees, with reports of symptoms ranging from vomiting to diarrhea, a spokesperson for Airbus Atlantic stated that nobody was reported to be "seriously ill." The severity of the illness varied among individuals, with one employee, named Nowlenn, describing the experience as exceptionally painful, surpassing the pain of childbirth.

The investigation has garnered attention regarding the source of the illness, with particular scrutiny on the food served during the event. Jean-Claude Iribarren, the secretary of the works committee, disclosed that the food for the dinner was prepared by the company's canteen. He mentioned that samples of all served products would be subjected to analysis by the ARS (Agence Régionale de Santé or Regional Health Agency).