A simple bottle of oil purchased from a small business located near the Mexican Embassy in the Miramar neighborhood of Havana serves as a stark example of the neglect faced by the Cuban consumer.
“The new scam. Neither extra, nor virgin, nor olive,” denounced Cuban filmmaker Enrique “Kiki” Álvarez on his Facebook profile, who believed he had purchased extra virgin olive oil from the mentioned private store, but it turned out to be a “clear, liquid, and odorless oil, let’s hope it’s edible.”
Facebook capture by Kiki Álvarez
Álvarez explained that the bottle was sealed, which suggests that the deception did not happen at the point of sale, but rather in the supply chain: importer, supplier, or both.
The product—presumably mixed or diluted, and ambiguously labeled—is just another example of how businesses operate without any effective quality control in a country where regulations are either absent or ignored.
We are all exposed to this due to a dysfunctional economy that doesn’t even have quality control mechanisms. Not to mention the “injected” fruits, the butter watered down, and other abuses that we, as fifth-category consumers, have been suffering for years,” argued the filmmaker.
And he added: “I share this as a symptom, as a diagnosis of the moral and physical decay we are experiencing, I know very well that the vast majority of people in this country cannot even exercise the right or the aspiration to consume healthy products for their health. It’s the blockade, I know. And also our lack of imagination in managing it.”
Photo: Facebook of Kiki Álvarez
In the comments on the post, other users confirmed that they had fallen into the same trap. Some paid 1,500 pesos, others up to 3,800, without realizing that the actual composition—95% sunflower oil and only 5% extra virgin olive oil—was hidden as part of the “fine print” and in English, while the packaging emphasizes what it’s selling: “olive oil.” The scam is legally camouflaged, but morally it is blatant.
The collective complaint reveals a pattern. This is not just about improperly labeled oil, but rather a marketing network that exploits need and misinformation. In many cases, sellers know exactly what they are placing on the shelf. But sales take precedence. And in a market with no clear rules, responsibility becomes blurred between the producer, supplier, and end seller. The consumer is left with nothing to do but pay—and remain silent.
A perfect reflection of a country where scarcity is no longer just of products, but also of ethics, institutional oversight, and respect for the health of the people.
For a vast majority of Cubans, the much-publicized consumer protection system is a mockery, while many citizens admit that “Cubans have almost gotten used to being treated poorly” in stores, whether state-owned or private.
Cuban television has criticized the management of private businesses. In a report, official spokesperson Talía González stated months ago that “the majority of essential goods in national currency can be found in non-state sector establishments, but they do not comply with the established prices.”
The report focused on the “exorbitant prices” set by small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes), while disregarding the fact that government dollar stores have imposed even higher costs. Although the government requires mipymes to sell products at controlled prices, the entrepreneurs themselves lament that state wholesale markets do not provide them with enough supplies.
The constant complaints about the low quality of food products have raised concerns among the Cuban population, which increasingly has fewer options to ensure adequate nutrition. Meanwhile, the government continues to promote the dollarization of the economy with stores where only those who receive dollars from abroad can shop.
In March, the Cuban actor and activist Daniel Triana Rubio, known on social media as Danielito Tri Tri, shared his experience through his Facebook account regarding the food sold in small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes).
“Recently, when you buy any little cookie, sorbet, chocolate, or anything else at any small kiosk (mipyme), there is a very high probability that it is spoiled. Everything is rancid, stale, expired. The flour in the bread tastes like a sack,” he expressed.
The publication from Triana added to a series of reports about the poor quality of food in Cuba, especially from the state sector. One of the most emblematic cases regarding the poor quality of products and services is the iconic state-run ice cream parlor Coppelia, located in Havana’s Vedado district.
The host Laritza Camacho visited the well-known Cathedral of Ice Cream following its reopening and highlighted that, despite promises of improvement, the place still offered limited flavor options and poor service.
In September 2024, it was revealed that at the Piano Bar “El Dorado”, a central venue located between the iconic Vidal Park and the Santa Clara Boulevard in the province of Villa Clara, multiple violations were being committed, ranging from excessive charges to consumer deception.
Also, a Cuban mother reported that the standardized rice she received at the supply store was infested with weevils, suggesting that the government keeps products stored in military reserves and only distributes them when they are about to spoil.
Another relevant case occurred in Santiago de Cuba, where in February citizens reported the poor quality of the standard bread, which arrived at the bakeries with a low-quality texture, burnt parts, and an odd taste.
Frequently Asked Questions about Product Quality and Economy in CubaWhy was the scam involving the bottle of oil reported in Cuba?
The scam was reported because the bottle, sold as extra virgin olive oil, primarily contained sunflower oil. Cuban filmmaker Kiki Álvarez discovered that the true composition was hidden in the fine print and in English, showcasing a deceptive practice in the supply and sales chain in Cuba.
How does the lack of quality control affect Cuban consumers?
The lack of quality control leaves consumers exposed to low-quality and potentially harmful products. This issue is exacerbated by Cuba’s dysfunctional economy, where regulations are insufficient and deceptive business practices are tolerated, affecting the health and well-being of citizens.
What role do micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises play in the current Cuban economy?
The mipymes in Cuba have become key players due to the scarcity of products in state-owned stores. However, they face criticism for high prices and low quality of products, which reflects the lack of supplies and the collapse of state wholesale markets. Despite this, these small private enterprises are often the only source of essential goods for the population.
How does partial dollarization impact Cuba?
The partial dollarization of the Cuban economy has intensified economic inequality, allowing access to basic products only for those who receive remittances or have access to foreign currency. This leaves the majority of Cubans, who earn in pesos, excluded from these stores, deepening the social and economic divide on the island.
What is the current situation regarding food quality in Cuba?
The quality of food in Cuba has been the subject of numerous complaints, both in the state sector and in small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes). Consumers report expired, adulterated products and those containing chemical additives, highlighting the lack of an effective quality control system to ensure food safety.