BEIJING : China will supply hormone-free pork to next year's Olympic athletes, the event's official supplier pledged Monday, amid international concern over food safety in the country.

Qianxihe Food Group said it was already applying the strictest safety standards in its rearing of pigs slated for the meat supply for the event.

"I can say with absolutely certainty in front of the whole world that our pork products are categorically safe," company spokesman Niu Shengnan told AFP in a phone interview.

"From the birth of the piglets to their rearing, they will be subject to the strictest safety monitoring system."

"Attention is being paid to the smallest details of all the food safety guidelines and targets... and production is subject to national agencies' inspection."

The use of hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals to boost the growth of livestock and vegetables is common in China and the country has recently come under international scrutiny amid reports of toxic produce.

Niu said his company's pig-rearing centres near Beijing are subject to stringent security control.

Company's workers live on the premises and are permitted to leave only in exceptional circumstances and they have to be quarantined for three days on their return.

"The goal is to provide 2008 Olympic athletes with finest, safest and cleanest meat quality," he said.

Niu's promise came as Beijing's Olympic organisers said moved to allay concerns.

"We are very confident of ensuring food safety in Beijing," Wang Wei, executive vice president of the Beijing organising committee told a press conference.

China's own food inspectors announced last month that a six-month crackdown had uncovered industrial oils, acid, cancer-causing chemicals and other dangerous ingredients in thousands of everyday foods sold domestically.

The Beijing government has said it was working to ensure that the 10,500 athletes and expected 550,000 foreign visitors to the Olympics are not scared off, or exposed to any safety risks. - AFP/il