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Food manufacturer Cento is committing "tomato fraud," lawsuit alleges
The suit says two California shoppers bought more than a dozen cans and seeks over $25 million for allegedly misleading labels.
- On Monday, two California residents filed a class action lawsuit against New Jersey-based Cento Fine Foods, alleging "tomato fraud" and seeking more than $25 million in damages for allegedly deceived consumers.
- The lawsuit claims Cento products lack the "DOP" or "Denominazione d'Origine Protetta" status granted by the Consortium, arguing labels "falsely convey" they are authentic San Marzano tomatoes grown using traditional methods.
- Plaintiffs allege the products are inferior to the "Ferrari or Prada" of canned tomatoes, quoting Martha Stewart's website; Cento Fine Foods maintains its tomatoes are certified by independent agency Agri-Cert and grown in Italy's Campania region.
- In a statement to ABC News, a lawyer for Cento Fine Foods said the lawsuit is "entirely without merit" and vowed to "defend this claim vigorously," including seeking prompt dismissal.
- A District Court judge dismissed a similar 2019 New York lawsuit in 2020, ruling a "reasonable consumer" was unlikely to seek consortium-certified tomatoes over those certified by another body.
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California lawsuit challenges Cento San Marzano tomato labeling
A proposed class action lawsuit filed in California alleges that Cento Fine Foods falsely markets its canned tomato products as containing certified San Marzano tomatoes. The lawsuit, filed by two California residents, claims Cento products labeled as "Certified San Marzano" tomatoes do not meet the…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources7
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 33%
C 67%
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