In a recent appearance on Canal Caribe's "Buenos Días" program, a representative from Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) issued a stark warning to citizens about the dangers associated with consuming foods that have not been properly refrigerated for extended periods.
While the advisory is technically accurate, it starkly contrasts with the reality acknowledged by the official on live television: Cuba is critically lacking the electricity needed to maintain the cold chain.
Osvaldo Vladimir Puñales Sosa, an expert in environmental health sciences, was featured on the show to discuss the essential role of food safety amidst the deteriorating sanitary conditions across the nation.
Contradictory Guidance Amidst Crisis
During his segment, Puñales Sosa emphasized basic hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, while implicitly admitting the island's severe infrastructural collapse.
"The most crucial factor is maintaining cleanliness, particularly through regular handwashing. It's said that washing hands four times daily can prevent 50% of foodborne illnesses and 35% of respiratory diseases," noted the official.
He further highlighted the concept of the "danger zone" in food science, referring to temperature ranges where bacteria rapidly multiply.
"Foods should not remain at room temperature for more than four hours, and in hot climates like ours, less than two hours to prevent losing safety and causing illness," Puñales Sosa explained.
Reality of Power Shortages
The paradox of this warning lies in the official's candid acknowledgment of the contradiction.
"What happens is, sometimes power is restored, I don't know, early in the morning. So our homemakers and mothers get up to prepare meals, and we end up consuming them at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. That long gap between preparation and consumption exposes food to the danger zone," he elaborated.
In essence, the regime demands adherence to food safety standards that are only feasible with reliable electricity, potable water, and gas—services it has failed to provide for years.
The Dire State of Infrastructure
Cuba's energy crisis is quantifiable. On a recent Tuesday, the nation had only 1,223 MW of available electrical generation against a demand of 3,050 MW, leading to a shortfall of 1,827 MW.
Residents in Havana experienced days with merely three hours of electricity. The country suffered eight nationwide blackouts in 2026, the latest of which disrupted the national grid for approximately 32 hours.
These power outages have a devastating impact on food safety. A survey by the Food Monitor Program, involving over 2,500 participants from 16 provinces, found that 47.59% of Cuban households lost refrigerated food due to blackouts, with figures exceeding 80% in provinces like Granma, Matanzas, Pinar del Río, and Sancti Spíritus.
Adding to this is the collapse of basic sanitation. More than 500,000 people in Havana lack a stable supply of potable water.
A staggering 81.3% of households must boil or chlorinate water before consumption. In some areas of Guantánamo, residents can go up to 25 days without water.
Havana's streets are littered with uncollected trash and sewage, exacerbating the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Public Health Concerns
In this environment, food poisoning outbreaks have surged. In August, 52 individuals in Santiago de Cuba required medical attention, with 18 hospitalized. A separate outbreak in September affected 29 people in Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas, including 22 children. Tragically, two people in Holguín died from nitro salt poisoning.
The epidemiological situation is equally concerning. MINSAP reported in September a simultaneous rise in respiratory infections, diarrhea, hepatitis, and arboviral diseases, attributed to "limitations in environmental sanitation systems, water treatment, and waste collection," according to Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García. Cuba reported 7,133 dengue cases in 2026, a figure 7.4 times higher than expected for that time of year.
The picture painted is of a state unable to ensure electricity, water, or gas, yet sending officials on air to urge the public to follow food safety guidelines that inherently rely on these critical services.
Understanding Cuba's Food Safety Challenges
Why is maintaining the cold chain so important for food safety?
The cold chain is crucial because it significantly slows down the growth of bacteria, preventing foodborne illnesses. Without proper refrigeration, food can quickly enter the "danger zone" where bacteria multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of contamination and illness.
What impact do Cuba's power outages have on food safety?
Frequent power outages prevent consistent refrigeration, leading to food spoilage and increased risk of foodborne illnesses. Many households have lost refrigerated food during blackouts, exacerbating food safety issues.
How does the lack of basic services affect public health in Cuba?
The absence of reliable electricity, water, and sanitation services leads to poor hygiene and increased prevalence of diseases. Residents face challenges in maintaining food safety and clean drinking water, contributing to outbreaks of food poisoning and other illnesses.