Related videos:
Amid the severe supply crisis in Santiago de Cuba, the local government acknowledged complaints from the population regarding the presence of textured soy in the ground meat intended for children aged 0 to 13 years.
Authorities from companies involved in the distribution of regulated basic household products stated through the telecenter TurquinoTeVe that due to a raw material shortage, extended ground beef was distributed — consisting of 70% beef and 30% textured soy.
One of the executives stated that numerous complaints had been received from the public and that they "are working on improving the quality of the product."
The issue was addressed on Monday during a meeting between the provincial governor, Manuel Falcón Hernández, and executives from companies responsible for distributing the regulated family basket, which has experienced ongoing disruptions.
The situation is worsening with the virtual collapse of bread production. According to Jorge Luis Arce Ferrer, director of the Provincial Food Industry Company, the mills in the province are halted due to a lack of flour, and production relies on sporadic shipments from Havana.
Bread is now distributed in a rotational manner among municipalities, leaving a large part of the population without regular supplies. Although authorities claim that when there is flour, 100% of the benefiting municipality is covered, independent reports indicate that sometimes stale flour is used and that, in some areas, bread is delivered only every two days.
On the other hand, the shortage of liquefied gas leaves families on edge. Lisette González Sardinas, the territorial director of Fuel Marketing, confirmed on national television that there is currently no availability of the product in the province.
Although he denied rumors about its sale in dollars or MLC stores, he did not provide any dates on when the supply will be restored.
Basic hygiene items —such as soap, toothpaste, and detergent— are distributed only once every three months, forcing citizens to line up for hours starting at dawn in hopes of obtaining these scarce products.
Governor Manuel Falcón announced that weekly information will be provided through official channels such as Telegram and Facebook. However, for many, these updates are inadequate in the face of a reality defined by daily hardship.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Supply Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
Why is textured soy being used in minced meat for children in Santiago de Cuba?
The inclusion of textured soy in the ground beef intended for children in Santiago de Cuba is due to a shortage of raw materials, which has led to the creation of a product that contains 70% beef and 30% soy. Local authorities have acknowledged the complaints from the community and claim to be working on improving the quality of the product.
What is the current situation of bread production in Santiago de Cuba?
Bread production in Santiago de Cuba is practically at a standstill due to a lack of flour. The mills in the province are inactive, relying on sporadic shipments from Havana. The distribution of bread is carried out in a rotating manner among the municipalities, which does not guarantee a regular supply to the entire population.
How is the shortage of liquefied gas affecting families in Santiago de Cuba?
The lack of liquefied gas in Santiago de Cuba has left many families without this essential resource for cooking. Authorities have confirmed the absence of the product and, while denying its sale in dollars, have not provided any dates for when the supply will be restored. This situation has forced families to seek alternatives such as using firewood or charcoal.
How are hygiene products being distributed in Santiago de Cuba?
Toiletry products in Santiago de Cuba are distributed approximately every three months, which has led to long lines starting from early morning from the population. This distribution is sporadic and does not meet the basic hygiene needs of Cuban families.
Filed under: