China promises safe food for 2008 Olympic Games

Stung by criticism of China’s food-safety practices, Chinese officials earlier this week promised safe, lab-tested meals for visitors to the 2008 Summer Olympics. “There are problems with food safety in China, but they are not that serious and should not be exaggerated,” said Li Dongsheng, vice minister of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the ministry that scours China’s marketplace for fake and inferior goods.

The Chinese government, eager to use the Olympics to showcase the country’s culture and economic modernization, has been embarrassed by recent allegations that tainted pet food ingredients, toothpaste, and medicines from China were responsible for animal and human deaths.

Beijing Olympic organizers say more than 10,000 athletes will compete in the Games 8-24 August 2008. They predict more than 500,000 foreign tourists and 1 million Chinese will visit the capital during the Olympics.

Food served to athletes, coaches, and others in the Olympic Village is to be purchased from selected suppliers, wrapped in tamper-proof packaging and delivered by vehicles equipped with global positioning systems, the state-run Xinhua News Service has reported. Kitchens will be guarded around the clock.

Xinhua also has reported that milk, alcohol, salad, rice, salt, seasonings and other foods, beverages and ingredients in the Olympic Village will be tested on mice 24 hours before being used in cooking and served to athletes.