Olympics food will be 'totally safe'

Athletes and officials will not be allowed to carry their own food inside the Olympic Village during the Beijing Games, according to established international practice, a top food safety official said yesterday.

Responding to a question on whether foreigners, including athletes, can carry their own food because of safety concerns, Minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Li Changjiang said that would not be necessary.

Why would foreigners have to carry their own food when they can enjoy the absolutely safe food on offer, he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the NPC and CPPCC sessions.