Chinese State Olympic Food Is Safe

The Olympic Games are always exciting and every city that hosts has its share of issues it must contend with.  Beijing is no exception and in many ways has some unique problems it must overcome.

China has emerged from it’s Third World Country status into a great power player on the world stage.  The country has financially grown and many Chinese are basking in the success.  Though China may have towering skyscrapers, a strong and prosperous economy and a facade of being able to play with the big dogs, it is still struggling with issues that a true Super Power should not have to be.

The Games are highlighting many of China’s weaknesses, much to their disappointment I am sure.  The Chinese government has been more concerned with people protesting their role in Tibet and Darfur that they have neglected to oversee what their people breath and eat.

We already have had the Press being denied access to certain Internet sites, athletes being denied access to the games because of their support of the refugees in Darfur and cyclist entering the country wearing masks because their team exercise physiologist was concerned about he air quality and told them to play it safe.

Athletes have all shared some great concern about the safety of the food at the Games.  People are worried about getting sick and possibly being subject to food laced with hormones and steroids.  China has declared that the food is safe in the Olympic Village and that they are taking every precaution necessary to ensure every-one’s safety.

From The New York Sun:

One of the unusual food-safety measures being used at the Olympic Village involves preserving some of every dish served. “We will have a sample of each item on the menu and keep the sample for at least 48 hours. Should the athletes fall ill because of the food consumption, we will run a testing,” Ms. Kang said.

The officials dodged a question from a Chinese reporter about whether the new surveillance system had detected any substandard or contaminated products destined for the Games.

I think that this is the first host country that has had to go through such measures regarding the food that is served during the games.

Great news for the Americans, they are not staying at the Olympic Village, but at a near by University and just about all their food has been imported.  It seems that about a year ago they began planning and checking the local markets and became concerned about the overall quality of the food.

Read more from the NY Sun article.