SHIJIAZHUANG - Nearly 100 people fell sick due to eating suspected contaminated chicken in North China's Hebei province, local authorities said Sunday.

A total of 97 people in Quyang county of Baoding city have been hospitalized since Friday. Among them, two people have checked out of the hospital, one is critically ill and the others are in stable condition, officials with the county government said.

A preliminary investigation shows that the illness is caused by a certain braised chicken produced by the local Dalong braised chicken store.

The store has been closed down and the owner of the store is under police control. A further investigation into the incident is underway.