Cubans collect rotten eggs on a street in Santiago de Cuba, and a diarrheal outbreak has been reported

Dozens of people were seen collecting boxes of rotting eggs on a street in Santiago de Cuba, in a scene that has sparked outrage on social media and raised concerns about possible health risks.

The images, shared on Facebook by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, show citizens carrying boxes of eggs that were reportedly going to be discarded due to being in poor condition. According to the information circulated, these food items were intended for the city landfill, transported by trucks from the Ministry of the Interior and the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), but ended up in the hands of private individuals, who began selling them in various neighborhoods of the city.

"People are taking the 'rotten eggs' by the box," warns the text accompanying the video.

Alert for diarrheal outbreak

A few hours later, Mayeta reported an outbreak of diarrhea in Santiago de Cuba allegedly linked to the consumption of these spoiled eggs. Although, as she stated, no cases of salmonella had been reported by the time of her publication, several individuals were showing symptoms of food poisoning, according to testimonies gathered by the communicator.

According to the complaint, "the eggs were going to be discarded at the City Dump by vehicles from the Ministry of the Interior and the FAR of Cuba," but the driver of the vehicle allegedly handed them over to individuals with the understanding that they would be used as animal feed. However, they ultimately ended up being resold in neighborhoods such as Altamira and the José Martí District, despite many buyers noticing that "almost all were rotten."

"This has led many people to exhibit symptoms of food poisoning due to harmful bacteria," warned Mayeta. In light of this situation, the communicator urged the public not to consume food of questionable origin and to protect their health: "Food is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, but your health is more important than this moment."

Reactions on social media

The complaint has triggered a wave of comments on social media, where citizens expressed their outrage, helplessness, and concern for public health. "This is unforgivable. Santiago de Cuba is starving and the eggs are going to waste. They should be shot," wrote one user. "With the hunger that exists, they’d rather let them rot than give them to the children," commented another.

Some testimonies also reveal that the eggs were sold at various points in the city, from Altamira to Distrito José Martí, at low prices that raised suspicions. “They were selling them for 70 pesos, but when you opened them, they had a terrible smell,” assured a neighbor.

Other users directly held the Cuban state responsible for allowing food in poor conditions to end up in the hands of a hungry populace. "This is caused by hunger and misery. The government would rather let it rot than distribute it," another internet user lamented.

A scene that repeats itself

This is not the first time similar incidents have been reported. Earlier this month, a man was seen picking up picadillo from discarded boxes at a fair in Santiago de Cuba. A few days later, a woman was filmed collecting spilled yogurt in the street.

On other occasions, people have collected beans from the ground, tomato puree, or vegetable oil that fell from pipes or trucks, reflecting the impact of the structural food crisis in Cuba. Even in November 2022, dozens of people picked up eggs that had fallen from a truck in Havana.

The scarcity, lack of supplies, and high prices have forced many Cubans to seek food under unsanitary conditions, despite the risks to their health.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba and the Rotten Eggs Incident