Source: BroBible
Summary
Cento, a New Jersey-based producer of Italian products, is facing a class-action lawsuit for allegedly misleading consumers with its “Certified San Marzano” label on canned tomatoes. The lawsuit claims that Cento’s label is deceptive and implies that the tomatoes are grown in the San Marzano region and certified by the Consortium, when in fact they are not. The lawsuit seeks at least $25 million in damages.
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Cento’s “Certified San Marzano” label is the latest example of a company trying to cash in on the reputation of Italy’s prized tomatoes. The label is meant to evoke the idea of authenticity and tradition, but the lawsuit alleges that it’s nothing more than a marketing ploy. San Marzano tomatoes are a protected designation of origin (PDO) product, meaning that only tomatoes grown in a specific region can bear the name. Cento’s label is a clever way to imply that their tomatoes meet this standard, without actually meeting the requirements. The lawsuit is a reminder that even the most seemingly authentic products can be misleading.
Original observation: “Certified” is just a fancy word for “not actually certified”.
Author: Evan Null
