China ensures food and water safety for the Games

(BEIJING, August 6) -- More than 400 public health officers are in charge of inspecting the food, water, and air quality for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Armed with 245 vehicles and 433 sets of specialized sanitation equipment, officers are permitted to test food and water whenever they feel it is necessary.

To ensure food quality, public health officials have set up surveillance systems at food preparation kitchens. Over 100,000 chefs have undergone mandatory food cleanliness classes. An additional 200,000 certified food inspection officials have been employed for the Games.

Water quality in the Olympic Village and Main Press Center (MPC) will be ensured through a new filtration and water quality maintenance system. The system will closely monitor Ph and chlorine level information in all water headed for Olympic buildings.

Volunteer kiosks stocked with medical supplies to cure fever, diarrhea, jaundice, rashes, and other common diseases will be open to service athletes throughout the games. All staff members who fall ill are required to contact a public health officer immediately to make sure that others are not infected.

Prior to the Olympics, Beijing disinfected all stadium grounds, authorizing an extensive insect and rodent extermination project.