Food manufacturer Cento is committing “tomato fraud,” lawsuit alleges

Two individuals from California have filed a lawsuit against Cento Fine Foods, accusing the company of committing “tomato fraud” by falsely claiming that the tomatoes in one of their canned products are authentic San Marzano tomatoes from Italy. The plaintiffs argue that Cento’s labeling of “Certified San Marzano” is deceptive and unfair, as they believe the tomatoes lack the quality and taste that are typically associated with genuine San Marzano tomatoes.

Based in New Jersey, Cento Fine Foods has yet to provide a response to the allegations made against them. The company states on their tomato cans and website that their San Marzano tomatoes are certified by a third-party agency called Agri-Cert. However, the lawsuit claims that Cento’s labeling implies that the product has an official DOP designation, which is a label given to San Marzano tomatoes by an Italian consortium that signifies “protected designation of origin.”

The lawsuit further alleges that Cento’s label designs are misleading consumers into believing that they are purchasing the renowned San Marzano tomatoes grown in the traditional method and certified by the Consortium. The Consortium, known as Il Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP, oversees the promotion and regulation of the sale of San Marzano tomatoes, ensuring that they meet strict production and quality standards.

Cento asserts that San Marzano tomatoes originate from the town of the same name in the Campania region of southern Italy. These tomatoes are known for their thicker walls, fewer seeds, and lower acidity compared to other varieties, making them ideal for authentic Italian cuisine. Cento claims to be the only company in the United States with a production facility in the region, emphasizing the authenticity of their product.

In an effort to provide transparency to consumers, Cento allows customers to track the specific field where the tomatoes in their product were grown by scanning the lot code on the can. This feature is available on the company’s website, offering customers a direct link to the source of their San Marzano tomatoes.

This is not the first time Cento’s San Marzano tomatoes have been called into question. In a previous lawsuit filed in 2019 in New York, it was alleged that Cento did not produce as many San Marzano tomatoes as they claimed.

As the legal battle unfolds, consumers are left to question the authenticity of the San Marzano tomatoes in Cento’s products and the implications of false labeling in the food industry. The outcome of this lawsuit could potentially impact how companies market and promote their products, particularly those that rely on the reputation and quality associated with specific food items like San Marzano tomatoes.