Stores, restaurants and other establishments which sell food are being inspected by the Environmental Health Divison of the Department of Health.
Chief Compliance Officer Papalii Marion Fitisemanu says all stores are required to go through an annual health inspection.
In addition, vendors for the federally-funded Women Infant and Children Program administered by the Department of Human and Social Services, are also being inspected if they meet health standards.
Papalii says many vendors have waited till the last minute to schedule their inspections and he’s requesting DHSS for an extension after the deadline which is today as their limited staff cannot carry out the number of inspections needed all at once.
DOH also plans to inspect vendors who prepare food for the Hot Meal Program for the Territorial Administration on Aging Office.
Papalii observes that health inspections and the closure of many food establishments which are unsanitary have put operators on notice and lifted the hygiene standards of eateries and businesses that sell food in the territory
For the past three months, the Environmental Health Division has been active in the vector control program as part of the fight against Zika.
Teams have been walking villages and through families’ yards checking on any accumulated trash and solid wastes which need disposing.
After their inspection of homes, DOH hopes to inspect businesses to clear out solid wastes from business premises.
