The death toll in a suspected food poisoning incident in Gansu Province has risen to three, while dozens of others were sickened, said local authorities Wednesday.

The three died in the No. 2 People's Hospital in Longxi County.

Meanwhile, the hospital was treating 40 people who had showed symptoms of food poisoning. Among them, seven were in critical condition while six others had been discharged from the hospital after health checks.

The victims had all eaten a local snack made of bean jelly and roast chicken at a stall in Wenfeng Township, Longxi County.

Police have detained the stall owner and collected the remaining food for testing.

The Gansu Provincial Health Department has sent a team of experts to the county to look into the case.