Beijing has so far received no formal notification from foreign delegations about bringing food into the Olympic Village, a BOCOG official said yesterday.

Kang Yi, chief of the food division of the Games services department, told a news briefing the country had made great efforts to ensure safe supplies for the Games, and "we hope athletes dine together".

She was responding to a question from a reporter from The New York Sun who asked how China would react if many foreign delegations, including the US team, brought their own food to the Beijing Olympics.

Some foreign media including The New York Times had reported earlier this year the US Olympic Committee had arranged with sponsors to ship about 11,000 kg of lean protein to Beijing in response to concerns about the potential impact of veterinary drugs and insecticides on athletes.

Kang made it clear that according to established international practice, foreign athletes are not allowed to take their own food into the Olympic Village.

"But if they insist on doing so, the food must meet the quarantine rules and regulations of China. And we're not responsible for any safety problems caused by these foods," she said.

Kang also said delegations are free to dine out, although they are encouraged to eat at the Olympic Village.

She said her division will keep samples of all food offered at the Olympic Village for at least 48 hours as a precaution.

Tang Yunhua, spokeswoman for the Beijing municipal office for food safety, also said concerns about the city's food safety were unwarranted.

The city has spent years developing an extensive monitoring and supervision system for the supply chain, from breeders to distribution, she said.

"We're 100 percent confident and capable of offering safe food for the Games," she said.

In response to fears that antibiotics and growth stimulants used by some breeders to boost yields could lead to positive doping tests, Tang said these worries were unnecessary.

"All food offered at the Olympic Village has passed strict drug residue tests," she said.

Xu Kang, spokesman for the Beijing bureau of commerce, said yesterday the city has abundant food supplies, and price hikes during the Games are unlikely.

(China Daily August 1, 2008)