The Department of Health has issued a warning about eating laksa purchased at two recent Mindil Beach Markets following a cluster of food-poisoning in the Darwin area.

A total of 14 cases of laksa-related food-poisoning have been reported.

The source of the outbreak has been identified and Environmental Health is working with the vendor and the stall will not be trading for the remainder of this season.

Evidence suggests the laksas responsible for the outbreak were bought at two separate Mindil Beach Markets: last Thursday’s (October 13) and Sunday’s (October 16).

Acting head of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Peter Markey, said people should not eat laksa purchased at Mindil Beach Markets on either the 13th or 16th of October.

“We are warning the public not to consume any laksa which was purchased at Mindil Beach markets last Thursday or Sunday evenings”, Dr Markey said.

“Any laksa which was purchased from Mindil Beach on those nights and is still in your fridge or freezer should be disposed of immediately.”

The pattern of the illness is consistent with the presence of a toxin in the food.

Dr Markey said food-poisoning symptoms come on within a few hours after eating the food and usually last 12 hours or less.

“People are getting sick within hours of eating the laksa, which suggests there is a toxin in the food.” Dr Markey said.

The food-poisoning is causing vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea.

"People working in the food-handling business who might suffer food-poisoning should stay home from work for at least 24-48 hours."

Environmental Health working with the vendor and the stall will not be trading for the remainder of this season.

While 14 cases have been identified, Dr Markey said it was possible more people had been affected. Investigations into the cluster of food-poisoning are continuing.