COFCO to supply food for sporting events

China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corp, the country's largest State-owned food conglomerate, entered into an eight-year partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee on Monday.

According to the agreement, the company, also known as COFCO, will provide food to Chinese athletes competing in 19 international sports events held from 2012 to 2019, including the coming 2012 London Olympic Games.

This partnership will have COFCO offering more than 1,000 food products, including rice, flour, wine and cooking oil, from among 36 of its food brands. It is the largest single agreement the Chinese Olympic Committee has signed with a company, the committee said.

Asked to specify how much money is involved in the deal, the company declined to fur-nish an exact number.

Frank Ning, chairman of COFCO's board said the stricter quality standards will not only apply to the food going to the Chinese Olympic Committee COC but also to all COFCO products in the market, which will be "accessible and affordable" to ordinary shoppers.