A woman voiced her displeasure this Friday regarding the poor quality of the garlic paste produced by the Empresa Agroindustrial Ceballos and sold in Santiago de Cuba: "It seems like they made a tank with just a small portion." Adis Otero Barrios expressed her frustration on Facebook, pointing out that the company sells the product for 120 pesos at the agricultural fairs in the Sueño neighborhood.
"Another scam on the population," the Santiago resident remarked. "The garlic stayed in Ciego de Ávila, and it's anything but natural. It's something pasty that doesn't smell like garlic and has no discernible taste," she criticized.
"Where is the quality control of the Empresa Agroindustrial Ceballos that allows these products to fail in meeting their slogan of 'Genuine Natural Freshness' and be sold without quality?" Otero questioned indignantly.
She also directed a pointed critique: "Who do we blame, the blockade?" insinuating that the true culprit for the product's poor quality is the regime, which is incapable of ensuring basic products meet minimum standards. "We need to check ourselves because we Cubans are disrespecting ourselves," she emphasized, also warning, "Friends, don't buy it because you'll waste your money," she concluded.
Although the complaint was made recently, the issue of the quality of the garlic paste produced by the Ceballos brand is not new in Santiago de Cuba.
Continuing Complaints About Product Quality
In June, Antonio Sarmiento del Castillo alerted the Facebook group "Compra y venta Revolico. Santiago de Cuba" that this product was a scam. "When I opened it, its contents were water with flour and salt, not even something that could resemble the taste of garlic," the man stated, also criticizing the high price of the product, which cost 190 pesos.
"I am making this post to warn other naive consumers like me not to fall for this deceit and scam," Sarmiento del Castillo pointed out, adding that he bought the paste at the agricultural fairs held on Saturdays in the Sueño neighborhood.
Following the regime's announcement of a reduction in the weight and price of the bread sold to the people through the basic basket, social media has been inundated with images of people criticizing the measure. Several Facebook profiles reported that the bread did not reach the stipulated 60 grams and displayed images of the regulated bread, which barely surpassed the size of an eye drop bottle.
In July, a resident of the province of Sancti Spíritus reported the poor quality of yogurt bought at a fair, which was supposed to be consumed by a child, leading the Cuban to criticize the regime, questioning: "Do you think this is suitable for a child?" Michel Alayon explained on Facebook that during a fair in Sancti Spíritus, he bought a yogurt whose taste he described as "crap with bread flour."
Questions Surrounding the Quality of Products in Cuba
This section addresses common questions and concerns raised by consumers regarding the quality of products sold in Cuba, particularly those by Empresa Agroindustrial Ceballos.
What is the main issue with the garlic paste from Empresa Agroindustrial Ceballos?
Consumers have reported that the garlic paste lacks natural garlic flavor and aroma, with complaints that it is watery and has an unappealing texture.
How much does the garlic paste cost at agricultural fairs in Santiago de Cuba?
The garlic paste is sold for 120 pesos at the agricultural fairs in the Sueño neighborhood.
Have there been other complaints about the quality of products sold in Cuba?
Yes, there have been multiple complaints about various products, including low-quality bread and yogurt, which have been criticized for not meeting basic standards.