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A brewing controversy over canned goods has unfolded.
Two residents from California have initiated legal action against Cento Fine Foods, accusing them of engaging in “tomato fraud.” The lawsuit claims the tomatoes in Cento’s cans are not the prestigious variety the company advertises, often likened to the “Ferrari” of tomatoes, as per the spicy allegations laid out in the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs have named Cento, a company based in New Jersey, as the main offender in this alleged tomato deception within the United States. The lawsuit, acquired by The Post, highlights the use of “Certified San Marzano” labels by Cento.
The legal document contends that the tomatoes fall short of the rich flavor profile associated with true San Marzano tomatoes, which are prized in Italian cuisine for their robust walls, minimal seeds, and mild acidity, according to court documents.
“San Marzano tomatoes are regarded as the luxury brand, akin to the Ferrari or Prada, among canned tomato varieties. Enthusiasts argue that their premium price is justified when compared to other Italian or domestic alternatives,” the lawsuit elaborates.
“Defendant’s marketing and labeling of Cento San Marzanos as ‘Certified San Marzano’ tomatoes is false, misleading, and unfair,” the filing continued.
“They lack the taste, consistency, and other physical characteristics associated by consumers with certified San Marzano Tomatoes.”
Cento says on its website that its San Marzano tomatoes are certified by Agri-Cert, an independent third-party agency, using strict guidelines created to regulate the variety in Italy.
The luxe red fruits are given special protected status in the European Union, like other regional goods such as Champagne or Parmesan Cheese.
An independent consortium, Il Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP, verifies that fruits claiming to be San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the authentic region and meet proper criteria, the lawsuit explained.
Cento claimed they voluntarily stopped seeking certification from the consortium in the 2010s due to labeling requirements, ABC News reported.
The class action lawsuit, however, claims Cento was “ejected” as a member of the consortium “for committing fraud.”
Cento says that their luscious tomatoes are produced in the San Marzano region of Campania, Italy, approximately 22 miles southeast of Naples.
The Italian food company even allows customers to trace where their product was grown by using the code on their can, according to its website.
A lawyer for Cento Fine Foods told ABC that the claim is “entirely without merit” and that the company plans to “vigorously” defend the allegations.
“We believe this claim is entirely without merit. We have previously successfully defended a comparable lawsuit in New York federal court and will defend this claim vigorously as well, including seeking prompt dismissal,” the lawyer said.
The company was the subject of a lawsuit in New York in 2019, claiming that Cento failed to produce as many San Marzano tomatoes as they said.