China is to dispatch health supervisors into hotels and restaurants during the Olympics, a move to ensure food safety for the athletes and tourists, a senior official said on Thursday.

In a meeting on health supervision, Ma Xiaowei, China's Vice Health Minister, said the supervisors will check over the safety of food and drinking water, and hygiene conditions in hotels, restaurants and food suppliers.

At least one health supervisor will be sent to the athletes' hotel, said Ma, adding that they will receive training before taking posts.

Health authorities will take water and air samples from the Olympics stadiums in host cities during the Games, he said.

The official also noted that a medicare team is to be organized to respond to emergencies related to chemical poisoning and radioactivity pollution.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2008)