Cento Fine Foods is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the company falsely marketed its canned tomatoes as certified San Marzano [1].
This legal action highlights the high value placed on regional certification in the food industry. San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their specific flavor and growing conditions, making any deviation from certification a potential legal liability regarding consumer protection laws [2].
The lawsuit accuses the brand of committing "tomato fraud" [1]. Plaintiffs allege that Cento misled consumers by labeling its products as San Marzano when the tomatoes did not meet the necessary certification standards [3]. According to the filing, this practice violates consumer-protection laws by misrepresenting the origin and quality of the produce [2].
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs are seeking more than $25 million in damages [1]. The suit argues that customers paid a premium for a product they believed was an authentic, certified Italian variety—a claim the plaintiffs said is false [3].
Cento Fine Foods has not yet provided a public rebuttal to the specific allegations in the filing. The case centers on whether the labeling on the cans constitutes a deceptive trade practice under current regulations [2].
The dispute focuses on the strict requirements for the San Marzano designation, which typically requires the tomatoes to be grown in a specific volcanic region of Italy and processed according to specific standards [3]. If the court finds that Cento marketed non-certified tomatoes under this name, the company could face significant financial penalties and be forced to change its packaging [1].
“A proposed class-action lawsuit alleges that Cento Fine Foods falsely marketed its canned tomatoes as certified San Marzano”
This case underscores the increasing legal risks associated with 'geographic indicators' in the food industry. When a brand uses a specific regional name like San Marzano, it is not merely describing a flavor but claiming a certified origin. A ruling against Cento could lead to stricter enforcement of labeling laws for imported specialty foods in the U.S., potentially triggering audits for other brands using similar regional claims.
