Monterey County Jail authorities suspect a food-borne illness is to blame for an outbreak that's left some 75 California inmates sick with diarrhea and stomach cramping.

The inmates have been reporting to the jailhouse infirmary complaining of diarrhea and bloody stool since Sunday. Monterey County Health Department expert John Ramirez says officials are pretty sure it was something they ate. The jail had another outbreak last June, when at least 112 inmates complained of flu-like symptoms including nausea, diarrhea and high fever. Investigators determined that inmates had hoarded food to make tamales that later became spoiled.

Ramirez says the health department is trying to find out whether this outbreak has a similar cause, or if kitchen foods are responsible.