It took just minutes for a food bug to strike down more than 30 people at an exclusive Anzac Day footy luncheon, but it will take several weeks to pinpoint the cause of the illness.
The diners at Essendon's president's lunch at the MCG on Thursday were left distressed and light-headed, some fainted and seven were taken to hospital, due to suspected food poisoning.
"The investigation will take ... several weeks really to get to the bottom of what happened," Victoria's acting Chief Health Officer Angie Bone said on Friday.
Samples will be taken from affected diners, food and the kitchen which prepared lunch for guests in the Olympic Room.
One guest told 3AW that all the affected people are believed to have eaten a rabbit and chicken terrine, but Dr Bone could not confirm that dish caused the illness.
"We can speculate that there could be a number of issues either to do with the food that was served or the way it was handled," she said, noting it was an isolated incident.
"We can speculate over the type of bug it was because the (illness) onset was so quick after eating, and normally those are bugs are associated with toxins rather than viruses."
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and Governor Linda Dessau were among the guests at Thursday's event but both avoided illness.
"It happened very quickly and people ... were being affected at the same time," McLachlan told 3AW radio on Friday.
"I didn't see vomiting. I saw people fainting and I saw people distressed and ... light headed. I think (there was) a level of pain, but light-headedness I would have said."
It is understood the terrine was served as an entree and numerous people walked out, fearing they would faint ahead of the Bombers' four-point win over Collingwood.
The venue's operator, Melbourne Cricket Club, and catering partner Epicure are co-operating with the investigation into the cause of the "isolated incident".
"The MCC has today, been contacting the patrons that were assisted at the game by first aid and ambulance staff, to check on their welfare," a MCC statement on Friday reads.
An ambulance spokeswoman confirmed more than 30 people complained of illness.
The outbreak has been deemed an isolated incident by the health department.
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