Most persons infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to descriptions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. Pulmuone said it recalled the chocolate cake and halted all distribution and sales of the product. Among those who allegedly came into contact with the disease, 545 did so in seven locations in Busan; 167 in four locations in Daegu; nine in the same location in Ulsan; 31 in the same location in Gyeonggi; 163 in seven locations in North Jeolla; 98 in three locations in North Gyeongsang; and 143 in six locations in South Gyeongsang. The product, Chocolate Blossom Cake, was made by the W1FNB food company in Goyang, Gyeonggi, and distributed by Pulmuone Foodmerce, which has its headquarters in Yongin, Gyeonggi.

According to the ministry, W1FNB produced 6,732 kilograms (14,841 pounds) worth of chocolate cake and packed them in 7,480 boxes from Aug. 8 to Sept. 5. Some 3,080 kilograms in 3,422 boxes were given to Pulmuone Foodmerce to distribute; the balance was either stored or thrown away. The snack was provided to 169 schools, two kindergartens, 12 Pulmuone Foodmerce buildings and one local community center for children, bringing the total number of establishments to 184. The Food Ministry said it was awaiting further results to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning. Local authorities are investigating the companies that sold raw food materials to W1FNB, said the ministry.