Business health inspections are here to keep the public safe, says DoH

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Health’s Environmental Services Division is on a roll and if you’ve got a business they’ll be there to inspect you.

In the last few months, the Environmental Services Division has closed stores, restaurants and other business they “deemed” condemned and not up to par with Health requirements.

Samoa News reached out to the Director of Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua and the head of the Environmental Services Division Aileen Solaita for comments and data on how many businesses have been slapped with citations and closed down.

Since July, the Division has been posting on its official Facebook page, the stores and restaurants deemed “unacceptable” and why they were being shutdown temporarily.

This included for expired items or the need for pots and pans to be squeaky clean, otherwise the store and restaurants were shutdown.

In one of their posts, the Division showcases pans that were found already washed and put away but still with food build-up. 

 “Acceptable cleaning is with no build-up and/or grease. Little things but it can contaminate other food.”

The Division has cited on numerous occasions finding rodent feces on shelves and in boxes of food items; termite infested ceilings and beams; no food safety practices, grease traps and cat poops and litter boxes found in food storage rooms are unacceptable.

 “Rodent feces on shelves and in boxes of food items would deem all these products to be disposed immediately. 

 “Unacceptable and unhygienic. Unacceptable way of freezing uncooked lumpia and eggroll [sic]. 

“Cross contamination is happening — uncooked lumpia and eggroll exposed and also placed in a chicken box.

 “Food Safety Practice — Items should be stored in airtight container and labeled. Furthermore, termite infested ceiling and beams is a major violation. 

 “Another reason for a business to be deemed CLOSED and a building to be deemed condemned,” reads a post on the Division’s social page.

The Division also pointed out that for a silicone pastry oil brush it must be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each use, because major stink odors are harbored inside and cause major bacteria growth.

 “Thoroughly clean all equipment is to clean everything in, out, under, above, side to side, behind and in the front,” cited another post.

Another major issue recently discovered by the Health Division is the expired food and beverages, rusted and dented food cans found in retail store shelves  during surveillance.

Stores have been issued citations and the Division has seized expired items.

The Division urges the public that if they “see something, say something and dial  633-1468/1469 or our main office 219 to report.

This week, the Environmental Services Division calls on the public to make sure they check the expiration date of baby powder or other items before purchasing them.  This, after they discovered a certain baby power found in numerous stores had been expired since 2020 or 2021. 

 “Be aware and be alert when purchasing items for your children and family.”