GOB Pushes Local Manna Noodles Amid Opposition Criticism

Ramen noodle prices are expected to rise soon. The Briceño administration introduced legislation to impose a twenty-percent tariff on the importation of soups and broths, like Ramen noodles. And this is not an arbitrary move. It’s being done to create more market space for the cheaper, locally produced, Manna noodles. Caribbean Organic Food Stuff Company, the business behind Mine Beer and Manna flour, produces Manna noodles. And they were able to successfully convince the Briceño administration that they need greater market protection. Weighing in on the debate, Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton says it is a crying shame. She applauded the government’s initiative to prioritize local producers but questioned whether this is the Briceño administration’s solution for healthy living.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is a protection, not against, but for our locally made ramen. But as it is right now our local ramen is selling cheaper than the imported one. We have to protect our own and I believe that after they made an appeal to the ministry of investment and the ministry asked me to make an appeal to Cabinet and Cabinet saw it as good and I asked the Ministry of Foreign Trade to make an appeal to CARICOM since we are members of the Single Market Economy to be able to get approval. It has been approved that we can put a tariff of twenty percent.”

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“It seems like a simple adjustment, a simple amendment. I applaud the government’s indicative to help local processors to allow create some space to allow local food processors to grow. But ramen noodles prime minister, honestly. It is not healthy, first of all. It is the food of choice for the working poor. That is the truth. Can we create a policy that will help local producers that same space to prepare competitively priced food that nourishes the body, that  allows people to live a healthy lifestyle. It is the worst food on the market, ramen noodles.”