Food vendors including those selling on the roadsides need to have clearance from the Ministry of Health as a compliance and awareness program run by the Ministry gets underway.

The Ministry's Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Health Protection and Enforcement), Christina Ulberg told Samoa Observer that the health card is part of the country's Food Act 2015 which states that people handling food should be in good health for the prevention of infectious diseases that can be transmitted through food handling. 

However, the ACEO said the health card is only one component with basic sanitation and hygiene of the food premises as well as storage also important. 

"There is a part in the enforcement where food stalls and restaurants will be inspected and recommended to attain health cards and as well as improve the sanitation and hygiene of the food premises, this is to ensure the basic safety of food before being sold to consumers," said Ms. Ulberg. "Businesses will be informed that they need these health requirements and if they still do not attain the health cards and improve standards of their food premises.

"Then we will need to close a restaurant or business until they have improved the situation and be reopened once they have met all requirements. But the overall aim is to ensure that businesses thrive and as well as meet health requirements for the safety of the public."

The first step that should be undertaken to get health clearance is to fill up a form from M.O.H. and visit a private clinic physician for a medical screening. The doctor will then conduct a medical screening for vital signs, and the doctors will then provide three forms (two pathology specimen report forms and one x-ray form) to the food handler. 

At the laboratory, lab technicians will take two specimens from food handlers, stool for salmonella typhoid and blood; and blood for hepatitis A. 

 "The doctor will complete the health clearance based on analysis of the Pathology specimen report forms," Ms. Ulberg said. "The private clinic will notify the food handler when to uplift health clearance forms and attached pathology specimen report forms. 

"The food handler must submit the health clearance form and pathology specimen report to the Food Safety Office (Public Health Services, Motootua – Old Maternity Ward) or MTII Tuasivi Hospital Food Safety Officer.

"The health clearance form and pathology specimen report will be reviewed by a public health doctor. The food handler will be notified of the date to visit the Food Safety Office and have their photos taken in Upolu and Savaii."

The last part of the process is getting the endorsement of Samoa's Director General for Health, according to the M.O.H. senior official

"The health card will be processed after the photo is taken and submitted to the Director General of Health for endorsement. The Food Safety Office will notify the food handler when to uplift the health card and pay the $10.00 fee."

According to the Food Act (Part 3, Section 16), the operator of a food business must ensure that a food handler has food safety training from any of the following M.O.H. or an approved training organisation.

Subject to any exemption by regulations, the operator of a food business must, before a food handler starts employment in the food business, ensure that the food handler has undergone a medical, screening test approved by the Director General; and (b) ensure that a food handler undertakes an annual medical