Cubans question the production of experimental food to mitigate the economic crisis

An announcement on Twitter about the development of new foods in Cuba from "alternative raw materials" has raised suspicion among Cubans who question the quality of these products and their nutritional value in the midst of the economic crisis that forced the authorities to apply new restrictions on the sale of commodities.

Food Industry Minister, Iris Quiñones Rojas, wrote on Twitter on Twitter that before the end of May, domestic producers will "share their experiences in developing new products and using alternative raw materials ", without adding details.

His tweet alluded to a message posted on the social network by Raquel Viamontes Gil, of the Industrial Fishing Company (EPISUR), located in Santa Cruz Del Sur, Camagüey.

The Cuban economist Pedro Monreal, who lives on the island, asked three questions about the social network that should be answered before any experimentation in the research "alternatives for the food of the people".

"Will these foods be produced in ISO 22000-compliant production lines, will labels with ingredient and nutrition information be mandatory, and will" experimentation "be conducted in a transparency framework involving consumers ?, asked Monreal on Twitter.

An identified Twitter user has criticized the minister's announcement: "Jutia, ostrich, crocodile and now powdered in a bag, this is NOT INNOVATION, that's what" "People want real food!" To find out what chemicals they have, the special period has come back to tighten! ", He commented.

Another Cuban interviewed on this same social network wondered how it is possible that they use rice to make croquettes if the product is missing. "There is no rice to eat as we will do to make croquettes and hamburgers, in my municipality it is sold at 12 pesos a pound for individuals and it is impossible to produce peanut oil for a large population – resources in these crazy ideas, "said Yandris Mata Cabrera.

In response to the Minister, another user, Alex Ottawa, called for the participation of self-employed workers: "Not only are SOEs, but all Cubans have good ideas to bring, we are asking for an inclusive economic development model that offers more self-employed in Cuba. "

The Cuban authorities on Friday announced the nationwide rationing of chicken, eggs, rice, beans, soap and other commodities. Internal Trade Minister Betsy Díaz Velázquez said on Friday that the regulation was aimed at dealing with resellers and other people who buy large quantities and monopolize the goods.

Products that are affected by rationing include soap, eggs, rice, beans, peas, sausages and chicken, as well as cleaning products such as soap, toothpaste, toothpaste or liquid detergent. among others, explained the official.

Díaz added that "the sale will not resume" of these products until their production or import is stabilized.

Private workers who purchase these products in the retail network in the absence of a wholesale market in Cuba "can continue to acquire the products in the designated establishments, once the population is guaranteed in first, "said the minister.

Cuba imports about $ 2,000 million worth of food each year.

With information from Martí News