Popular Italian food brand accused of 'tomato fraud' in new lawsuit company says is meritless
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • business
Key Points:
- A proposed class action lawsuit filed in California accuses Cento Fine Foods of falsely branding its tomato products as containing certified San Marzano tomatoes, alleging "tomato fraud" and misleading labeling.
- The lawsuit claims Cento's products lack the necessary certification from the Italian consortium that regulates authentic San Marzano tomatoes, which have protected status in the EU and must meet strict regional and quality standards.
- Cento denies the allegations, calling the lawsuit meritless and citing a previous similar lawsuit in New York that was dismissed, arguing their tomatoes are grown properly and certified by a different third party.
- The plaintiffs seek over $25 million in damages, stating they would not have purchased Cento's premium-priced products if they had known the tomatoes were inauthentic and illegally labeled under Italian law.
- The case highlights ongoing disputes over authenticity and certification of region-specific food products, with Cento emphasizing its commitment to product quality and accurate labeling.
