Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption has arrested 47 hospitality staff for allegedly accepting bribes from food suppliers for placing purchase orders.

The arrested include 22 chefs and purchasing staff of various hotels, restaurants and clubs. They are employees of seven hotels, nine restaurants and cafes, four clubs, and the food section of a department store. ICAC has not disclosed the names of those businesses. 21 operators and staff of various food suppliers, as well as four other individuals, were also arrested.

ICAC enquiries revealed that the arrested purchasing staff and chefs of the catering establishments had allegedly accepted cash payments or loans from operators and employees of suppliers for fresh and dried seafood, frozen meat, poultry and fruit. The alleged bribes are suspected to be rewards for the purchasing staff and chefs to place orders with the above suppliers.

ICAC was formed in 1974. The Department is headed by a director and two assistant directors. Apart from offering advice to government departments and public bodies, the department, through its Advisory Services Group, also handles private sector requests for corruption prevention assistance.

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