TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Might want to rethink eating ribs in St Maarten

What did you think pigs eat??

Quality pork is produce from pigs fed a balanced ration of corn, soybean meal, and some other grains including vitamins and a little salt.
And of course plenty of water.

I'm more worried about meat inspections coming from having an uncle die of Trichinosis and where this meat is sold. Wish there was a list of places they supply to.

I don’t eat pork .

This is so disturbing to hear the conditions these pigs are raised. We love our ribs on the island especially at the lolos. I’m not sure i want to eat them anymore on the island. I really hope there is more to this story.

Just Whatsapped two friends on island that are present and past restaurant owners to see what they say about this very disturbing pork supply distribution. I'll let you know what they say.

The link isn't working for me. Anyone else?

The Daily Herald links often come and go, but it was working for me, just now.

Thanks, Carol. Yes it works for me now, too.

Both of my restaurant contacts said that restaurants are required to conform with health guidelines and get there pork from either the US or Brazil. They felt feels that the pork mentioned in article is marketed to locals along with some unscrupulous places such as rib shacks that could be using them. I think I'll be steering away from rib shacks and beach BBQs for ribs.

Many animals eat garbage to survive… including humans. I don’t have a problem with this pork and it is on the same safe consumption as GMO’s, Bird flu infections and all the other foods we eat. Locals are eating this and they probably have a better gut for it than kale eating vegans. When food inflation hits SXM these food sources with be survival food for the poor.

It’s not what they are eating that is a concern, it is in how they are raised and with out water most of the times. The article did say they sell to some places or restaurants. It’s not just the locals that are eating these ribs. It would be nice to know which establishments are buying ribs from this place. The pics that were posted were deplorable and very upsetting to see.

Quite upsetting how those poor animals are living...or trying to survive until slaughtered.

That's is why we have food inspections to make sure food is safe to eat rather than just roll the dice on it. These just go straight to the wheel barrel with flies to the consumer. Not good.

I suspect most of their product is sold to the roadside Lolos patronized by locals. ie: Pondside in Pburg and elsewhere. I doubt they could produce enough to supply established restaurants. An established restaurant would need a steady reliable source of ribs.

Hope you are right but anyplace could be suspect for subsidizing their regular supply with these. Article did mention "Maho, Cupecoy, Pointe Blanche". areas as customers.

Very sad to see the deplorable conditions these creatures are raised in. As several posters have stated, pigs must have sufficient water - an ample supply at all times - to survive. However, i have to make a couple of comments.

Most of us would never eat chicken or pork or beef again in our own countries if we saw some of the treatment these creatures receive on supposedly legitimate farms.

Also I think the fact that reputable restaurants are required to use properly inspected meat but the locals are probably forced to buy this type of product just underscores the difference between those of us who enjoy SXM on our vacations and the people who live on the island permanently. The "haves" and the "have nots" in many cases. SXM is a beautiful island if you are there for a vacation, probably not so beautiful when you live there in a low-paying job.

And your concern is whether or not you'll eat ribs there again.

Too, this situation is not limited to SXM. I have seen some deplorable food handling on a number of other islands, food meant for the locals. Great places for a vacation, not so great to live in.

It wasn't me who said I would never eat ribs on the Island again. I just think its unconscionable to not provide water to these poor animals. AND I would say that the last 2x I ate ribs and other foods at any Grand Case lolo, I was sick as a dog for days, so will never do it again...whether it was the ribs or salads sitting out unrefrigerated, who knows!? Not worth it to me to try again!😖

Oh, this has become too political, someone should kill the thread.

I trust your kidding or you're suffering from eating tainted ribs from your last trip to St Maarten.

Political ????
George

We will be on the island in 2 weeks. We love having ribs on the island, especially the lolos. Now I’m not sure. Should we be concerned about eating ribs at the lolos? I am feeling very anxious about this. I wish i knew which establishments are buying the ribs from the mentioned place in the link. How is this political? I just want to be safe on the island and not getting sick.

Yes, political. It was a diatribe. Maybe not to you, but to me.

Where's Elon when you need him?
#howtwitterish

Anyone remember Lido's in Cole Bay??

Done with this one.