Safety has been the first consideration of the organizing committee of the Fifth China Hi-Tech Fair, which has taken specific measures against SARS and food poisoning.

The city's public health supervision authorities so far have checked more than 30 hotels that will accommodate the fair participants. Letters of guarantee have been signed between the authorities and the hotels to ensure there will be no food poisoning and epidemics, including SARS on their premises.

During the fair, caterers are required to check the temperature of their workers before they actually start working, and no food can be made prior to all ingredients passing examinations by the corresponding food supervisor.

"The measures will insure that no under-quality material will be used to make food," said a source of the authorities, adding that no cold dishes would be allowed at the fair.

An anti-epidemic office will be set up on the site of the event, staffed by workers from the city's public health supervision agency and its disease control and prevention center.

All participants will be required to have their temperatures checked before they are allowed to go into the fair premises.

Editor: Catherine