INNSBRUCK, Jan 21 - There are many considerations that go into being a high-level athlete, but one thing that many young athletes may overlook is food safety.

"[Food safety] was a big problem in Mexico, the PANAM Games and the FIFA Under-17 World Cup," said Frankie FREDERICKS (NAM), former track and field athlete and member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete Commission.

"I think it was the problem of clenbuterol. But awareness is just growing by the day. We are more cautious than ever," FREDERICKS said.

The Namibian track star was one of several athletes, including Charmaine CROOKS (CAN) and Hicham EL GUERROUJ (MOR), who gathered with young athletes at the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games to discuss the issue.

The substances athletes put into their body are closely regulated, but sometimes illicit chemicals can find their way into food. When the athletes unknowingly consume them, they can end up with a positive doping result.

FREDERICKS referenced an incident involving the 2011 Under-17 FIFA World Cup, when players from 19 of the 24 teams were tested positive for a banned substance called clenbuterol.

After much investigation, it was discovered that the athletes had eaten contaminated meat.

"Food safety is without doubt one of the most important concerns of the IOC and the cities hosting the Games," FREDERICKS said. "We work in collaboration with the host cities to make sure regulations are followed."

The best precautionary measure for athletes to avoid the slippery road, he said, is to eat within the Athlete Village.

"It is probably a lot safer that at home where you eat out often. Here, we make sure that we have the greatest and highest standards of food safety," he said.

Charmaine CROOKS (CAN), five-time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medallist, could not have agreed more.

"I know and I am very confident that what is provided here at the Village and what is made available is something that the athletes can have great confidence on. They are getting the right food, the right nutrition and there is no fear of that going off the rail."

"When I was running, I would be very careful of what I would eat to be safe from any kind of discrepancies. When in doubt, ask your nutritionist, coach or team official. It is just about being vigilant. It is imperative to make sure that you have trusted individuals around you who have your best interests in mind,” she said.

Hicham EL GUERROUJ (MAR), a double Olympic Gold Medallist, added on another pointer.

"Always eat in a group. Never venture alone," he said. "As an athlete, I ate simple food advised by my doctor and physiotherapist."

The advice from these veteran athletes came as part of the Culture and Education Programme at the inaugural Youth Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck as part of an effort to make athletes aware of the subjects of food safety and nutrition.

"These kinds of things should be taught to athletes at a very early age so that they remain vigilant throughout their long careers of sport, as this issue can be an obstacle," CROOKS said.

"I probably realised the importance of food safety and nutrition at a very old age but these young athletes are lucky as they are being made aware early,” FREDERICKS added.

IOC Young Reporter Sonali Prasad