Shanghai has set up a comprehensive food safety monitoring system that can detect contamination and carry out instant on-the-spot inspections.

Officials say the system will help ensure more than 99 percent of the food sold in the city is safe.

Wang Longxing, the director of Shanghai Food and Drug Administration, said this yesterday as part of a 12-day media program with other government department heads.

Shanghai food and drug authorities have set up 79 food contamination inspection areas in local wet markets, wholesale markets and major supermarkets, building a citywide network that can detect unsafe food as quickly as possible.

The bureau also conducted regular on-the-spot checks on all kinds of food normally consumed, and reported the results to the public.

As well, 20 special vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art technology for instant tests for food safety have been introduced to the city to launch immediate inspections for 60 kinds of foodstuffs that regularly appear on menus, the official said yesterday.

"The safety of pork is always a major concern for the bureau, especially after cases involving poisonous Clenbuterol," Wang said.

"Local residents consume about 9 million pigs a year, and two-thirds are from other provinces.

"We have set up a system that monitors strictly the whole process of pig-raising, transport, butchering, processing and sales of pork products.

"Every business involved in the network is checked, and every piece of pork has to be accompanied by documentation so that we can track its progress. We also suggest residents buy pork from major supermarkets and shops."

With Shanghai staging some events for the upcoming Olympic Games this summer, authorities have plans to ensure the safety of athletes and Olympic officials.

All hotels serving Games participants will undergo strict tests for their food.

(Source: www.shanghai.gov.cn )