New security seal on Ciego Montero water bottles to prevent fraud.

The mixed company Los Portales S.A., specialized in the production and commercialization of natural waters, has just implemented a new security seal on one of its main products, Ciego Montero Natural Mineral Water.

The change, which came into effect on April 16, aims to guarantee the authenticity of the product by preventing empty water bottles from being refilled and sold as if they were original, a common fraud in Cuba.

Rita María Piñera Crespo, head of Marketing at the company, explained to Cubadebate that before, the Ciego Montero bottles had a laser marking system on the body of the bottle. Now, the new security seal is located at the junction of the cap with the ring, so that when the bottle is opened, the numbering will break, preventing any possible tampering.

The other laser marking remains, so now the product has a double seal.

"In this way, we guarantee that the consumer drinks quality water such as Ciego Montero quality water, which comes from a natural spring and meets international standards," stated Piñera Crespo.

The management recommended that customers always verify the authenticity of the cap and confirm that the factory marking is intact, which will ensure that the product is genuine.

He also emphasized that during a transition period, some bottles without the new security seal may be found on the market, but they do have the old one and are suitable for consumption.

In November 2022, Los Portales announced that it would investigate the quality of the Ciego Montero soft drinks sold in MLC after a complaint published by CiberCuba.

"We are currently investigating the root cause of the batches in which the problem has arisen. We have not yet found a definitive answer, and for this purpose, we are also sending samples for analysis to international laboratories that have high-end equipment to determine elements of the recipe that may have led to the change in flavor that consumers have noticed," said Elizabet Linares Urquiola, quality management specialist.

Linares Urquiola recalled that the company publishes on the labels of its products the ways for customers to report their complaints and request information.

At the end of October, the user Raquel Díaz denounced the poor quality of the carbonated orange sodas she bought at a state store. Other internet users endorsed her words and shared similar testimonies.

"It tastes like anything, the closest thing is to a purgative," wrote the woman, who paid 360 Cuban pesos for a bottle of orange soda.

However, in the information that was shared, the batch number of the product printed on the bottle was not mentioned, a piece of information that is essential to track the product.

Los Portales S.A., a company formed by the Cuban Food Corporation and the Nestlé group, produces and commercializes mineral waters and soft drinks under the Ciego Montero brand. Its factory is located in Guane, Pinar del Río.