Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has arrested 47 people for alleged bribery in relation to food supplies to hotels, restaurants and private clubs and a department store's food section, the ICAC said Tuesday.

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. Investigations revealed that some food suppliers had formed a coterie 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 (128,205 U.S. dollars).

The arrested people have been released on bail. Investigations are underway.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2007)