Tomato fraud

[Big_Al]

From the substance of that article, Cento's tomato product is much more authentic than "Parmesan" cheese made and so labelled in the USA. Whether it meets the European requirements for identification of origin is a much more specific issue I'll let the courts determine. It could be that their source simply doesn't subscribe to the details of the labeling law/regulation. That might only have legal implications if they sold the product in Europe.

That being said, I've purchased and used their products and like them. We've also grown the San Marzano identified tomato variety in our own garden with great success in many years.

Big Al

[RealPlayer]

Not totally unrelated, the other day I almost bought brie cheese in very convincing French-looking packaging, only to find, in fine print, that they were US-made. And it was expensive!

[wtg]

@Big_Al said:

I 've purchased and used their products and like them.

It's my go-to brand for most canned tomato products; I also like Red Gold stewed tomatoes.

We've also grown the San Marzano identified tomato variety in our own garden with great success in many years.

Rats! I was at the garden center today buying tomato plants and saw the San Marzanos. Haven't grown them before. Maybe I'll go back and pick up a plant to try this year

[Daniel]

I've been seeing video after video of USDA Organic labelled fruits and vegetables (bananas, for example) being gassed with industrial chemicals, etc. WTF.

[jon-nyc]

@wtg said:

Two California residents are suing Cento Fine Foods, alleging the company engaged in "tomato fraud" by claiming that the tomatoes in one of its canned products are the authentic "San Marzano Certified" version from Italy.

They have an enviable amount of free time.

[Daniel]

What does the USDA Organic label mean? I need to research this.

Link to video

[jon-nyc]

@Daniel said:

I've been seeing video after video of USDA Organic labelled fruits and vegetables (bananas, for example) being gassed with industrial chemicals, etc. WTF.

Organic foods can be sprayed with natural pesticides.

Examples commonly applied as sprays include:

• Pyrethrin
  • Usually sprayed directly onto crops for insect control.
• Neem oil
  • Often sprayed as a foliar treatment on leaves.
• Copper sulfate
  • Typically sprayed to prevent fungal diseases.
• Sulfur
  • Often sprayed or dusted onto crops.
• Bacillus thuringiensis
  • Commonly sprayed onto plants so caterpillars ingest it while feeding.

Organic farming is not “no pesticides.” It’s more accurately:

• “restricted-input agriculture,”
• with emphasis on approved natural/biological substances,
• crop rotation,
• soil management,
• and integrated pest management before chemical intervention.

In practice, some organic crops — especially fruits vulnerable to insects or fungus like apples or grapes — may receive multiple spray applications during a season. Conventional farming may use fewer sprays in some cases because certain synthetic pesticides are longer-lasting or more targeted.

[Daniel]

So, Rogan is click bait. Interesting.

[Daniel]

Btw, eat Centro's USDA Organic tomatoes from the can after draining the water. I think they were made in Italy. Big Al's right, of course. If it's a trademark dispute, and the trademark belongs to Italy, than the proper jurisdiction is in Italy. I guess you're supposed to make sauce with them, and maybe I will one day. I think that would be great fun. I love Italian food.

[Mik]

The thing with San Marzano tomatoes is not the variety but the location - the volcanic soils around Vesuvius. If they weren't grown there the designation is pretty meaningless. I use Cento San Marzano tomatoes regularly and find them a fine product. Many chefs agree. This lawsuit strikes me as just a competitor trying to tarnish the frontrunner.