The Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) has issued warnings to mobile food stalls selling at the Teuila Festival mainly at the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) Cultural Village for non-compliance of health policies.

This was confirmed by the Director General of the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.), Aiono Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma in response to queries by the newspaper on email.

Asked if there have been any reports by the Ministry's inspection division on sanitation issues at these stalls, Aiono said "No" but some were reminded of their health cards.

"There are no sanitation issues but some have been reminded to obtain health cards," he said.

"There are challenges with enforcing compliance with mobile food stalls and warnings are issued to comply or face closure."

Meanwhile, there are more than 20 different food stalls at the S.T.A Cultural Village in Apia selling fast food, snacks, fizzy drinks and ice-cream.

Some of the stalls are operated by street vendors, some by well-known restaurants around Apia, while some are groups, families, or committees from a church or village.

The stalls opened on the first day of Teuila on Monday from 8am and closed around midnight.

Health inspectors from the Ministry were present on a daily basis at the stalls inspecting health and sanitary compliance.

Meanwhile, one of the food stall vendors, Faanafi Tuimanua told this newspaper she has received no warnings from the Ministry on sanitation or non-compliance issues but was reminded of her health card.

"My kids are vendors on a daily basis but only after their school hours but this time, I thought they should have a break while we resort to this small business to put food on our table," she said.

"Yes, I have been reminded of my health card as well as everyone else and I always carry it with me  because I know how much it's going to fall back on me if I don't and I make sure the food and items I sell are sanitary."

She was asked about the spike in prices of items being sold at the stalls, Mrs. Tuimanua said all prices are the same amongst the stalls at the cultural village.

"It's a business thing and it's not just me who has put up the prices but every other stall here as well because we're doing business and so is everyone else here," she said.

The price for a normal can of soda which normally retails for $2.50 is $5 at the Teuila stalls while prices for food and items have almost doubled.

However, this did not stop people from buying from the stalls.