Pago Pago, AMERICAN — Equipment used for baking and cutting meat should be cleaned on a daily basis. This was the reminder issued by the American Samoa Department of Health Environmental Health Services, during their inspections.

Equipment found in in food catering businesses and bakeries require daily cleaning and “failure to maintain sanitary conditions of your equipment is unacceptable” and the business is subject to automatic closure.

 “If you don't know how to clean it, throw it away and buy a new one.”

 Another common finding is unsanitary conditions in businesses with meat-cutting rooms. 

“Unsanitary machines harbor bacteria and will contaminate food items.  Any equipment utilized for food items should be disassembled to thoroughly clean any food remains/ residue harboring in very small gaps and crevices that can harbor a big number of microbes and can be the source of product contamination. 

“Failure to do so, will only attract pests such as roaches and rodents.