Mice star as Olympic food tasters

White mice are to take part in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing - their task to protect international athletes from food poisoning.

The mice will be fed milk, alcohol, salad, rice, oil and seasonings, the city's health inspectors said.

Mice show adverse reactions within 17 hours, while laboratory tests take much longer, they said.

The move is part of the huge effort the Chinese are making to ensure the showpiece event passes off smoothly.