The authorities in Guantánamo have denied allegations that the bread from the basic family ration contains sand, following numerous complaints from the population about the poor quality of this staple food. The Directorate of the Food Company in the province clarified that the bread sold through the ration book in recent days does not contain any harmful substances to human health.
"Any speculation suggesting the presence of sand or other inorganic materials is unfounded," the company emphasized in a statement published in the newspaper Venceremos.
Eneldis Matos Romero, the general manager of the company, admitted, however, that the bread does contain "impurities" that cause an unpleasant sensory experience when consumed, due to the characteristics of the imported wheat used in its production.
According to the official, the Cereal Processing Unit in Santiago de Cuba, where the wheat is milled, lacks a pre-cleaning system to remove impurities from the grain. As a result, some impurities remain in the flour even after the wheat is ground.
Matos Romero emphasized that these particles felt when eating the bread are not sand but wheat impurities, and their safety has been certified by the laboratories of the Ministry of Food Industry in Havana and Moa.
He added that this batch of wheat will last only one month and that production will continue with another type of flour afterward.
Understanding the Quality of Rationed Bread in Guantánamo
In response to public concerns regarding the quality of rationed bread in Guantánamo, several key questions have been addressed to clarify the situation.
Is the bread from the ration book in Guantánamo harmful to health?
No, the authorities have clarified that the bread does not contain any harmful substances, and its safety has been certified by the Ministry of Food Industry's laboratories.
What causes the unpleasant sensory experience when eating the bread?
The unpleasant sensory experience is caused by impurities in the wheat used to make the bread, not by the presence of sand or other inorganic materials.
How long will the current batch of wheat be used?
The current batch of wheat is expected to last for one month, after which the production will continue with a different type of flour.