UDP Senator Says Ramen “Is Sickening Our People”

UDP Senator Sheena Pitts is questioning whether the country should be encouraging the consumption of what she describes as “empty food.”

“It appears and it has shown itself over time that people have been down so long that they begin to think that down is up. We glorify struggle, oppression, and everything,” Pitts said. “No disrespect to people who thrive on ramen noodles, but ramen noodles is empty food. It provides the least nutrient-rich food for the body.”

Pitts referenced a Ministry of Health and Agriculture forum on “food health security,” using it to contrast the Government’s push to amend the Customs and Excise Duties Act to raise tariffs on imported noodles by 20% in support of the locally produced Manna noodles.

She argued that food security should not be reduced to affordability alone, especially in a country already battling rising lifestyle diseases.

“Here we are, looking at ways to promote a local manufacturer… to produce a food that is sickening our people,” she said as she referenced the region’s rising cases of hypertension and diabetes.

She said that more attention should be placed on supporting local farmers instead of focusing primarily on processed imports. “Where along with this ‘strategic trade policy’ is there any consideration in providing respite to Belizean farmers against the importation of fruits and vegetables that we grow here? So that at least on a balance we have on the market healthy food choices for Belizean people and, paramount to that, healthy food choices that are affordable,” Pitts added.

Her contribution to the debate added a different layer to the ongoing debate and shifted attention beyond price increases and protectionist arguments to a deeper question of what Belizeans are actually being encouraged to consume.