The owner of the Best Value Supermarket at Papauta, Lina Fang, has apologised to anyone who bought expired products from her store, which has been shutdown by health inspectors. 

“[I] just wanted to say I’m sorry and I promise to check again on the staff every time and make sure that that never happens again,” she said. 

“To all those who have shopped at our shop before, we are sorry about this mistake.”

Ms. Fang offered the apology after the Ministry of Health closed the store for selling expired goods. 

The majority of the expired products were food and snacks sold in plastic bags and cans.

Residents of Papauta, particularly those who reside behind the supermarket, said families had been concerned about stock freshness.

Tanumafili Tuia told the Samoa Observer that his wife had argued with supermarket workers about the expiry date of products:

“[We] advise them to learn from their mistakes,” he said. “It’s really sad if this continues to happen when they open again especially for our children and families.

“It’s not really much of a threat to my family because we barely have youngsters around. But still, they shouldn’t be careless in handling these things because what if it’s a kid in a very vulnerable situation that ate these expired products?”

Requests for a comment from the Ministry of Health were not returned.

The Samoa Observer understands the inspection from the Ministry of Health was prompted by customer complaints.

One of the complainants, who resides at Vailima, but declined to be named, confirmed that their family was furious because of the continuing sale of expired goods. 

Asked for a comment, Ms. Fang admitted that the supermarket had been careless in selling expired products to the public and vowed to improve their service when they reopen.

Ms. Fang said they have removed all expired products from the supermarket in preparation for the Health inspectors' next visit.

“[The] Ministry of Health will check again [on Monday] and we’ll know when exactly will the shop reopen,” she said.