The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Tuesday arrested 47 people for alleged bribery in relation to food supplies.

Those arrested include 22 food-buying and cooking staff from seven hotels, nine restaurants, four private clubs, and a department store.

Another 21 food suppliers and their staff, and four other people, were also arrested.

The anti-graft body received complaints late last year, and investigations revealed that some food suppliers had formed a clique and established a close and long-term relationship with some food-buying staff and cooks.

The food suppliers and their staff offered bribes to the food-buying staff and cooks in return for getting food orders. The buying staff and cooks also accepted inflated and faked bills. The ICAC estimates the total bribe money involved may exceed one million HK dollars (US$128,205).

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2007)