CHURCH PUZZLED BY MEAL ILLNESS.

Byline: Usha Sutliff Staff Writer

PASADENA - A Temple City woman died and others fell ill after eating food at a Polynesian-style luau thrown by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sept. 16 in Pasadena, officials said.

``First of all, we're sorry that anyone that attended any event sponsored by our church would ever become ill following the event,'' said Randall Huff, president of the church's Pasadena stake. ``We presently are unable to determine any cause or causes of the illnesses reported following the event and have offered our sympathy to those affected.''

The evening luau was attended by more than 1,200 Mormons and non-Mormons who were offered a menu of roasted pig, teriyaki chicken, cabbage-based salad with oil and vinegar dressing and bread rolls. Water was served with the meal, according to Huff.

``We are trying to determine the cause . . . but we're all puzzled right now as to what the cause may be. Some people ate only salad and got sick. Some people ate only rolls and got sick. Most people ate everything and didn't get sick,'' he said, noting that 100 to 200 people told church representatives that they felt ill in the days after the luau.

``Most people reporting illness following the event only suffered minor gastrointestinal distress for approximately a day or less,'' Huff said.

But Mildred Mabb, an 80-year-old Temple City resident, died Sunday evening, the day after the luau.