Kitchen cleanliness: Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Cheuk Wing-hing (left) and Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow (2nd left) inspect the central kitchen of the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, where the East Asian Games committee members stay.

The results of all 2,000 food samples taken from the 2009 East Asian Games caterers, hotels, suppliers and food premises near event venues and tourist areas are satisfactory, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department says.

Department officers today accompanied Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow to inspect the operation of the catering service providers and hotels.

"We attach great importance to food safety for the successful hosting of the East Asian Games," Dr Chow said.

The department has formed an advisory team to work with the caterers at competition venues and hotels for athletes to assist them in developing safe menus and implementing an effective food safety management system.

The team has also provided professional advice and training on food safety to catering staff and conducted regular site inspections and auditing.