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Lizard in bread: ‘Josh Bakery’ says it is being framed

- but admitted flies, rats & roaches are a challenge for any business in VI
Part owner of Central Bakery, Myrtle L. Stoutt-Fraites, right, is not accepting that the lizard found in a bread roll was the fault of the bakery. Photo: VINO
Over the past two days Central Bakery was closed to remedy sanitation and safety infractions; Mrs Myrtle L. Stoutt-Fraites related today, October 10, 2019, that the bakery would be reopened sometime after 12noon. Photo: VINO
Over the past two days Central Bakery was closed to remedy sanitation and safety infractions; Mrs Myrtle L. Stoutt-Fraites related today, October 10, 2019, that the bakery would be reopened sometime after 12noon. Photo: VINO
Irene Smith has maintained that she purchased the bread roll with the lizard inside at Central Bakery. Photo: VINO
Irene Smith has maintained that she purchased the bread roll with the lizard inside at Central Bakery. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Ordered temporarily closed following a recent allegation of a lizard found in a bread roll by a customer, part owner of Central Bakery, Myrtle L. Stoutt-Fraites says just like other business establishments in the territory they too face the challenges of flies, rats and roaches.

Central Bakery is said to be the first of its kind in Tortola, starting out as Josh Bakery.

Today many customers continue to refer to the bakery as Josh Bakery, a name which has been in the news and social media lately after a lizard was allegedly found in a bread roll by a customer.

‘But a lizard in bread?’

Central Bakery has not accepted responsibility and has said the incident was an attempt to discredit the business.

Calling the names of two prominent supermarkets, Stoutt-Fraites said, “You walk into (name called) you see rat running around, you see roaches running around. You walk into (name called) you see roaches running around, you see rats running around inside there. It’s rats season, it’s a place where they can come inside when the door is opened during the day but the problem is for us to manage them.”

A lizard in bread; however, is a hard one for Stoutt-Fraites to swallow.

“But a lizard in a bread?” Stoutt–Fraites said in total denial and alleging an attempt by Irene Smith to discredit the bakery.

Smith had lodged a complaint with the Department of Environmental Health, which ordered the bakery closed for infractions found.

“The problem is for us to manage them. Even the flies, it’s flies season, and to manage the flies is the problem, to manage the roaches is the problem. They cannot say they saw roaches crawling all over the bakery, they can’t say that.

“The roaches come in under the door but you have to be vigilant, that is the problem, this is no worse than any other establishment,” insisted Stoutt-Fraites as she further said that since the building suffered damages during the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, two years later, they have been working on erecting the required mesh on openings in the building.

‘Deliberate attack’

But Stoutt-Fraites is bitter with Smith, alleging that it was a deliberate attack on the popular bakery.

“I am not saying that things might not happen, but I can definitely say that there was no lizard that came from Central Bakery because if the lizard, anybody who is a baker would know that if you roll TT bread, a very small bread, you would see that there was something else bulging in the bread.

“You could see that the lizard had to be placed there because if a lizard was baked in the bread you must see the contents of the lizard inside, you must see an imprint of where the lizard was baked but you could see that the lizard was placed there and pressed there in the bread.”

‘All they needed to do is to apologise & done’- Irene Smith

Furious at being called a liar, Smith maintained that she purchased the bread there, “Mr Fraites admitted that I did purchase the bread there that morning,” she said while insisting she had no reason for wanting to frame the bakery as she alleged that despite many rumours in the past of persons finding things like rat dung and other foreign obstacles in their flour foods purchased at the bakery, she continued to be a customer.

“I was going there since I was growing up, I know the previous owners. I go there almost every day.Why would I do such a thing to the bakery? All they needed to do is to apologise and done with this.”

Over the past two days the bakery was closed to remedy sanitation and safety infractions.

Ms Stoutt-Fraites; however, related today, October 10, 2019, that the bakery would be reopened sometime after 12noon.

44 Responses to “Lizard in bread: ‘Josh Bakery’ says it is being framed”

  • own up (10/10/2019, 12:11) Like (76) Dislike (2) Reply
    sooo, somebody going bake a lizard, take it to the bakery, buy a bread, (there is no visible evidence that the bread was cut and the lizard placed in it, but looks cooked in). To make matters worse, take a big bite from the usual Josh brown paper bag (as we all do), then come back in the shop to say it have a lizard ina it.

    Own up. yes, because the place is not screened off our entirely closed in, stuff will creep in, and nobody disputing that. Cleaning mean more than wiping a counter. All them baking pans, behind the counters, behind shelving and stoves etc need to be moved and cleaned regularly, and that is for every food establishment.
    • Me. (10/10/2019, 13:01) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
      I would be still vomiting...
    • Dehumidify & Sanitize (11/10/2019, 02:05) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      We use to take these things for granted, because it is a local establishment. I've been coming to the BVI to visit family since I was old enough as a working teen to purchase my own plane ticket. Hand in hand with every trip were my two part rituals; 1) a newer addition, the spice shop for whole nutmeg for friends and family, and 2) was the religious visit to Josh Bakery for sticky raisin buns. I am now 53 years old and my last visit was in 2013 when my mouth watering purchase had mold on the bottom side of it and the bread pudding that I brought back to mainland for my sister was sour and spoiled. I tried the bakery in East End also and the Tarts were rancid. With Climate change & population growth in the BVI, things are not what they use to be. You cannot have a bakery in the BVI without proper internal temperature control and cleanliness. Invest in a dehumidifier, A/C system, and sanitize and clean daily. You all need to stop feeding people mold spores and critters, because you want to squeeze the head off a penny.
    • Jaigon (11/10/2019, 15:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @own up. I am in total agreement with you. What really amaze me is all the defensive tactics that Ms. Myrtle coming with. All she had to do was to apologize to the lady and recognize that it was an unfortunate situation. I do not believe for one moment that anyone would have deliberately put a lizard in the dough. Lizards are incrizitive creatures and one could have got into the dough accidentally but to really think that something deliberate happens, is an over statement
    • Jaigon (11/10/2019, 15:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Inquisitive creature, that should be
      • @@@ (14/10/2019, 10:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I was literally googling the word and couldn't find it so i'm like probably it's suppose to be inquisitive.
  • Not true (10/10/2019, 12:14) Like (54) Dislike (1) Reply
    "They cannot say they saw roaches crawling all over the bakery, they can’t say that."

    This is not a true statement. I've stood by the door and witnessed a roach running across the pastries in the display under the counter. I just never said anything because I know what it can lead to. I'm glad the recent incident happened because they needed to clean that bakery from long and patch up areas that needed attention to prevent pests from entering the building. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
  • asking for (10/10/2019, 12:30) Like (4) Dislike (45) Reply

    Is that's a man, a woman or a dy*e found the lizard?

  • lmao (10/10/2019, 12:32) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    The lizard frame you ?
  • waaa... (10/10/2019, 12:46) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    pay ur staff they will stop ..
  • tretretrete (10/10/2019, 13:00) Like (43) Dislike (4) Reply
    Like the lady say. Just apologize and move on... The lady for the Bakery talking too much. I dont believe her. I believe the Lizard was in the bread....Even if she had say that a disgruntled worker may have done it. I would had more belive that... Even though I don't think an unhappy worker would do such thing....The bottom line the Lizard was in the bread why conti ue an unpopular bad for business story.. Klll it quickly was the smart thing to do.
  • Oh yeah (10/10/2019, 13:15) Like (73) Dislike (1) Reply
    The bakery in the east got similar problems with security rails using as windows...A lot of food places in the BVI need closing down for nastiness if you ask me
  • . (10/10/2019, 13:15) Like (40) Dislike (0) Reply
    Things happen. All Myrtle had to do was apologize and offer the lady something else. The screens in the bakery have holes and doors always open so of course lizard will get in. I was even held hostage in there from a mother hen.

    • Peaches (11/10/2019, 15:53) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      offer her something else? LOL!!!!!! who would want something else after that! Well sah!!

      Myrtle, I am ashamed pf you. You caused all of this chaos. I watched the video where the lady was showing you the lizard (ewww!!) in the bread and I could see you there peeping and overhauling! man up! woman up! own up. You should have killed that thing fast.

      Anyway, it is for a good, because the unsanitary conditions would have continued.

      Thank God I prepared 99.9% of my meals at home.. Whatever I buy at the grocery I fix up a lil something and put it inside mi lil lunch bag! It comes from my kitchen that's nice and clean.

      Too many of you all, especially ladies can be seen at the bakery first thing in the morning. It's a crying shame. You all can't prepare something at home? Ah wonder if some ah allyo have husbands and children. Learn to cook and bake instead of wasting time and money on weave, bleach, vulgar clothes and nails!!
  • GG (10/10/2019, 13:17) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    I could see the nastiness just looking at the photo of that establishment
  • o lordy (10/10/2019, 13:19) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    That same stoutt woman give the manager for sugar mill hotel hell for a beach that wasn't hers
    • facts (10/10/2019, 14:06) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is a public beach, Sugar Mill were wrong to take it over and prevent locals using the beach
    • set up (11/10/2019, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      This is a set up to force the bakery out of business. If the owner says sorry, then she will get lawyers involve.
  • ... (10/10/2019, 13:39) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    she just need to up grade and everything will be alright
  • insider (10/10/2019, 13:48) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    If it is one thing everyone should learn to do is cook . I learn a lot from working at restaurants.
  • The TRUTH (10/10/2019, 13:54) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Josh bakery has always been disgusting to me. No disrespect.
  • Once Bitten (10/10/2019, 14:18) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was once a victim in similar circumstances. Bought a large pizza from an establishment in town, took it home and opened the box, to be greeted by a large roach chilling out on the top of the food. Contacted the manager, who apologised profusely, explained that the place had recently been treated by exterminators, and offered my family and I a free dinner as compensation. I told him thanks but no thanks; that as long as I live, I could never eat from that place again. I never did.

    The Environmental Health Department, if they are not doing so already, needs to conduct regular spot checks on these
    eateries. It is one thing for food handlers to be licensed annually; it is another thing to ensure that the facilities selling food are properly checked to ensure that they meet with established standards. And I emphasise spot checks so that the owners are not given the heads-up to allow them to have the place in a pristine condition prior to any visit.

    To make a long story short, after two horrific incidents at two well known places here in a matter of days, I still shudder at the very thought of eating out.
  • voice (10/10/2019, 14:23) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    @0 Lordy. What does that has to do with current situation? If I were in her shoes though. I would issue an apology to my customers. Make the necessary changes as advised by the Environmental Health Department and try to regain the trust of my customers. Being on the news sites trying to justify the allegations would ultimately hurt her business.
  • Flies in the showcase (10/10/2019, 14:33) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I told the worker about the flies, she asked me if I dont have flies in my house...... yuh see ting
  • Animal Cruelty (10/10/2019, 14:59) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    If those people would stop kidnapping, spaying and neutering the cats around here, then the rat population would not get out of control. They always milistening to what do not belong to them. The state cats are there to keep the roaming rats under control. Please leave the cats to do their jobs and stop trying to be master and lord of our island.
    • Here for the Comments (10/10/2019, 16:17) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      What's milistening? Just curious.
      • HAHAHA (10/10/2019, 18:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        The writer means molesting
        • hold on (11/10/2019, 20:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
          Well, it’s official. I must be old. “Milistening” means or it did back in the ‘60’s when you ‘Miliss’you are interfering with something that isn’t your concern not your property. It was used to correct curious children who may touch a valuable that could break etc. lol I haven’t heard that word in years. So, no, not molesting in the vulgar sense.
    • Cats (10/10/2019, 16:40) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      What on earth does this have to do with a lizard in bread? Trust me, this island is suffering from no shortage of cats, whatever "those people" are doing.
  • Long and short... (10/10/2019, 15:35) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people waiting for some visitor or so who would not take "Sorry" as compensation for their negligence to do better. Sickness and death are fair arguments for lawsuits, DO BETTER BVI!
  • Greg (10/10/2019, 19:14) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    The building has been there sooooooo long. They won't paint it nice cheery colors, won't hang a decent larger sign on the building or put plants in planters to make it look inviting. They can put in a screen door and decent window screens to keep out flying insects. Just a little bit of prevention goes a long way.
    • @Greg (10/10/2019, 21:29) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      The building could be posh to kill, if them nasty, them nasty. Clean down and sanitize the counters and cooking utensils. We use to bake in a brick oven under a tree boss, but our cakes, bread and tart dem never had nothing fall in them. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
      Pretty up the building while rat and lizard dropping behind the counter? Your comment sound like a woman looking pretty with make up and dress to kill but her house dutty.

      Clean up the place where food is being prepared and served de man
      • Greg (13/10/2019, 19:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ @Greg, No, I am not a woman. All I meant was that the outside look so uninviting. I know full well the inside needs a lot of changes, so don't get your stockings in a knot. If the outside looks that bad, you can imagine what the inside kitchen looks like. So chill out, why are you all still going in there without forcing them to clean up? That is how every business runs for so long, not respecting the customers with a dirty environment, yet, you keep going.
  • Kingfish (10/10/2019, 20:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    One thing for sure, that lizard will never rum up the teacher's dress and disappear.
  • blind bat (10/10/2019, 22:30) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    The owner divulged way more info into the claims of the customer. DEAD GIVEAWAY! Pump some money into bringing the business up to code. Shame on Environmental Health though. They should have been proactive checking these businesses regularly!
    • nonsense (11/10/2019, 12:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      How would environmental health stop the lizard from going into to the bread? They do not stand in kitchens to watch people cook.
  • Guilty as charge (11/10/2019, 04:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rat season....... roach season......... fly season......... now is lizard season LOL!
  • Guest (11/10/2019, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is this the same lady with the beach chair incident a while back?? Hmm my my how times have changed.....
  • former customer (11/10/2019, 14:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I stopped eating baked goods from that bakery years ago...always found worms in them...no extra protein needed, thank you. Two titi bread, hold the flies, cockroaches, rat droppings, and oh yes lizards...
  • musa (11/10/2019, 17:10) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Who ever bit that breag ,how come the lizard still in 1 PC?you mean to say that you that hungry you eat around the lizard .
    • Fran (14/10/2019, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @musa, of course it’s possible. I bit into a roll and saw something dark inside. Further inspection after I tore it open showed me a roach. You don’t have to bite into the hidden treasures, they are lurking beneath sometimes.


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