SouthernWorldwide.com – A lawsuit has been filed against food manufacturer Cento Fine Foods, accusing the company of engaging in “tomato fraud.” The plaintiffs allege that Cento has been misrepresenting the origin and authenticity of the tomatoes used in one of its canned products.
The lawsuit claims that Cento’s labeling of “Certified San Marzano” is deceptive and misleading to consumers. The plaintiffs assert that the tomatoes within the product do not possess the quality and distinct flavor profile associated with genuine San Marzano tomatoes from Italy.
Cento Fine Foods, based in New Jersey, has not yet provided a comment in response to the allegations. The company’s website states that its San Marzano tomatoes are certified by Agri-Cert, an independent third-party agency.
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However, the lawsuit contends that Cento’s product labeling implies an official DOP designation. This designation, granted by an Italian consortium, stands for ‘protected designation of origin’ and is specifically for authentic San Marzano tomatoes.
The legal filing alleges that Cento’s label designs are intended to “falsely convey they are the famous San Marzano tomato grown in the traditional method and certified by [the] Consortium.” This implies a deliberate effort to mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing a product of superior, protected origin.
The consortium, known as Il Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP, is responsible for promoting and regulating the sale of true San Marzano tomatoes. The lawsuit emphasizes that these tomatoes must adhere to “strict production and quality standards” to qualify for the designation.
According to Cento’s website, their San Marzano tomatoes are sourced from the town of San Marzano in the Campania region of southern Italy. The company describes these tomatoes as having a “thicker tomato wall, fewer seeds and less acidity than other tomatoes,” making them ideal for authentic Italian cooking.
Cento also claims to be the sole U.S. company with a production facility located in this specific region, further emphasizing their purported connection to the authentic source.
The company’s website further offers a traceability feature, allowing customers to scan a lot code on their can to identify the exact field where the tomatoes were grown. This feature aims to enhance consumer confidence and transparency regarding the product’s origin.
This is not the first time Cento’s San Marzano tomatoes have faced scrutiny. A previous lawsuit filed in New York in 2019 raised similar concerns. That suit alleged that the manufacturer was not producing the volume of San Marzano tomatoes it claimed to be sourcing and selling.
The current legal action seeks to hold Cento accountable for alleged misrepresentations regarding the origin and quality of its canned tomatoes. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the company and consumer trust in food labeling practices.
