Popular Italian food brand accused of tomato fraud in new lawsuit

It’s a canned conspiracy.Two Californians are suing Cento Fine Foods for allegedly committing “tomato fraud” — claiming the fruits in its canned products are not the coveted “Ferrari” of tomato varieties they boast, according to a saucy new lawsuit.The plaintiffs alleged that New Jersey-based Cento is the “primary culprit of this tomato fraud” in the US for using “Certified San Marzano” labeling, according to the class action lawsuit obtained by The Post.The lawsuit alleged that the tomatoes don’t live up to the luxurious taste of genuine San Marzano tomatoes — which are favored in Italian cooking for their thicker wall, fewer seeds, and lower acidity, court records said.“San Marzano tomatoes are considered the Ferrari or Prada of canned tomato varieties.Loyalists say they are well worth the higher price tag compared to other Italian or domestically produced options,” the lawsuit stated.

“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 ...