Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Department of Health (DOH)  Environmental Health Services shut down two retail establishments: the Gold Conda Store located in Vaitogi and the JKL Food Center situated in Futiga after DOH inspectors identified significant violations of sanitation and public health regulations as mandated by A.S.C.A. Title 25. 

The issues discovered during these inspections included poor sanitation practices that could lead to food contamination and pose substantial health risks to consumers.

As a result, the DOH determined that both establishments must halt operations immediately to prevent further exposure to unsafe conditions. The authority to close these businesses is grounded in the Health, Sanitation, and Environmental Health Regulations, which empower the DOH to intervene when public safety is jeopardized by unsafe or hazardous conditions.

The primary goal of these actions is to protect the community's health and well-being. By closing these stores, the DOH ensures consumers are not exposed to potentially hazardous food products or unsanitary environments. 

The Department of Health remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard the public from unsafe food, contaminated water, and environmental hazards. 

Issuing this closure notice is a significant part of the DOH's efforts to maintain transparency, educate the public about potential health risks, and prioritize consumer safety across the American Samoa community. 

The stores in question will remain closed until they rectify their violations and implement effective, verifiable corrective actions to comply with all health and safety regulations. This process is essential to ensure that such establishments can operate safely and responsibly in the future.