Food manufacturer Cento is committing "tomato fraud," lawsuit alleges
Yahoo • • business
Key Points:
- Two California residents have filed a lawsuit against New Jersey-based Cento Fine Foods, accusing the company of "tomato fraud" by falsely claiming its canned tomatoes are authentic San Marzano variety from Italy.
- The plaintiffs argue that Cento's "Certified San Marzano" label is misleading and that the tomatoes lack the quality and taste of genuine San Marzano tomatoes.
- The suit alleges Cento's labeling implies an official DOP (protected designation of origin) status granted by the Italian consortium Il Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP, which the company does not have.
- Cento claims its San Marzano tomatoes come from the Campania region and are certified by an independent agency, with customers able to trace the tomatoes' origin via lot codes on the cans.
- Cento Fine Foods has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
