A resident from Nueva Gerona on the Isla de la Juventud took to Facebook to reveal the appalling condition of rice received in the second shipment from the El Purial storehouse, which was plagued with live weevils. "Oh my God, that's more weevils than rice," one user remarked. The resident described the product as "rice with included meat," underscoring the poor quality. Comments from others confirmed that this poor quality rice was distributed throughout the Special Municipality.
One user mentioned, "The first shipment to Fé América Libre was full of black seeds and unpeeled grains, it was disgusting when cooked." Another shared a similar experience, "The same thing happened at the La Amistad store in Francois." A third individual stated, "The rice came like this across the whole island. It was so gross I had to leave it in the sun to get rid of the weevils." These complaints highlight a widespread issue with food distribution in the region.
In Cuba, the subpar quality of food distributed through state-run stores continues to cause discontent and complaints among the populace. On September 23, 2024, a customer in Havana publicly denounced a store named "La Infancia" for refusing to remove a spoiled product from sale after she reported it. The woman, identified as Bárbara Lazo Suárez, attempted to warn the staff to prevent health issues for other shoppers, but her request was denied. The manager was absent, and the product remained on the shelves, illustrating the lack of oversight and accountability in handling spoiled foods in the country's stores.
The situation is not unique to the capital. In Santiago de Cuba, on July 9, 2024, reports surfaced of dry, burnt, and low-quality bread being sold in local stores. Residents' complaints indicate that this situation has persisted for over a year without any governmental response to the repeated grievances. The economic crisis and resource scarcity have forced the population to consume poor-quality food, despite government promises of improvements that never materialize.
Poor food conditions extend beyond stores. Employees at the Santiago de Cuba pasteurization plant reported on June 10, 2024, that the food provided in their cafeteria was so inferior "it wasn't even fit for dogs." Images shared by workers depict precarious conditions in the facilities, with meals lacking any nutritional value. The absence of proper supervision and quality control in food distribution remains a major concern for Cubans, who bear the brunt of an enduring food crisis.