The Best Value supermarket at Papauta, closed by authorities after it was found to have been selling expired food products, is back in business.

The green light was given by the Ministry of Health after the shop satisfied conditions they were asked to adhere to, the Samoa Observer was told.

The majority of the expired products were food and snacks sold in plastic bags and cans. The owner of the supermarket, Lina Fang, in a previous interview with the Samoa Observer said they have removed all expired products from the supermarket in preparation for the Health inspectors' next visit.

Nearby residents of Papauta have welcomed the shop's return.

Tanumafili Tuia, who told the Samoa Observer that his wife had argued with supermarket workers about the expiry date of products, said he is glad they have sorted out the problems.

“[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.

"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?”

“But mistakes are meant to teach us a lesson so I hope they learn theirs and now that it has reopened, it’s convenient for us here at this area because it’s the closest supermarket to buy from so we’re glad they’re back and hope for no more mistakes.”

Last week, Ms. Fang had apologised to anyone who bought expired products from her store.

“[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.”