Twenty-seven people have been arrested for allegedly accepting advantages from food suppliers for placing purchasing orders and conniving at the poor quality of goods supplied.

The arrestees included a regional manager, a chief warehouse supervisor, a chief chef, a former chef and a former dimsum master of a hot-pot restaurant chain.

Also arrested were 14 chefs and purchasing staff of nine other restaurants, as well as eight operators and employees of seven food companies supplying frozen seafood, beef and tea leaves.

The arrested restaurant employees allegedly accepted advantages, including cash payments, deposits into bank or telebet accounts, and nightclub entertainment, from various suppliers. In return restaurant staff allegedly placed orders with those suppliers and connived at inflated invoices and substandard goods.

Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations are underway.