ARTEMIS, Cuba, Moises Leonardo Rodriguez — Soy yogurt, the sale of which is regulated and intended for children, was received in a spoiled state over the last two weeks in the outlets in the town of Cabañas. In the city of Mariel in the Artemisa province, in contrast, the opening of a new production plant for yogurt destined for Havana and Mayabeque provinces was just announced.
The regulated amount is three one-liter bags a week for every child between 7 and 12 years, replacing cow’s milk, the sale of which is restricted to children under age 7.
Many believe that the priority should be to ensure the technical means so that the product arrives in good condition, before producing more.
Ileana de los Ángeles Iglesias, speaking from Central Havana in the capital, said that the bags bought off the ration book in recent weeks were also spoiled.
A nutritionist, speaking on a recent National Television News broadcast, said that the product should be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, which appears to explain the deterioration of the yogurt during its delivery in unrefrigerated vehicles in hot weather months, as well as in the warehouses and places of sale.
On 11 August, the yogurt was sold outside the rationing system and a group bought dozens of bags to be fed to pigs, while the children are left waiting for a solution.
Cubanet, August 15, 2014 |
