Full Breakdown
Cento Fine Foods Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over “Certified San Marzano” Labeling
5/7/2026, 10:36:57 PM
Alleged Mislabeling of San Marzano Tomatoes
Two California residents filed a proposed class-action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on May 4, 2026. The suit alleges that Cento Fine Foods, a New Jersey-based producer of canned tomatoes, marketed its “Certified San Marzano” products as authentic San Marzano tomatoes that meet the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) standards, despite the plaintiffs’ claim that the tomatoes do not satisfy those criteria.
Legal Basis and Consumer Claims
San Marzano tomatoes are a plum variety grown in the Sarnese-Nocerino area of Campania, Italy, and are protected under EU law. The complaint contends that Cento’s labeling creates a “false, misleading and unfair” impression that the cans contain DOP-certified fruit. Plaintiffs argue they paid a premium price for a product they believed was genuine and seek at least $25 million in restitution, damages, and corrective advertising.
Key Parties and Certification Claims
- Plaintiffs: Two unnamed California consumers filing as a class.
- Defendant: Cento Fine Foods, which asserts that its tomatoes are certified by Agri-Cert, an independent third-party agency.
- Consortium: Il Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano DOP, the body that grants EU DOP status.
- Legal Representation: Cento’s attorney, who previously defended a similar New York case.
- Judicial Reference: A 2020 federal judge who dismissed the earlier suit, noting a “reasonable consumer” would not distinguish between consortium and third-party certification.
Timeline of Relevant Litigation
- 2010s: Cento voluntarily ceased seeking consortium certification, citing labeling requirements.
- 2019: New York class-action alleging insufficient San Marzano production filed.
- 2020: Federal judge dismisses the New York case.
- May 4, 2026: California complaint filed alleging “tomato fraud.”
Financial Stakes and Consumer Impact
The plaintiffs request $25 million plus statutory damages of $500 per consumer, attorney fees, and a $10 000 award per class member. The lawsuit highlights a price premium that consumers associate with authentic San Marzano tomatoes, which they claim would not have been paid had the labeling been accurate.
Potential Implications for Food Labeling
If the court finds Cento’s labeling deceptive, the decision could tighten enforcement of DOP standards in U.S. food imports, affect labeling practices for other region-specific products, and influence consumer trust in “certified” claims.
Official Statements from Cento Fine Foods
Cento’s spokesperson told Good Morning America that the allegations are “entirely without merit.” The company emphasizes that its tomatoes are grown in the Sarnese-Nocerino area, audited by an independent third party, and that it previously defended a comparable lawsuit successfully. Cento also notes that its website allows shoppers to trace each can to its field of origin.
Plaintiffs’ Criticism and Consumer Perspective
The complaint asserts that Cento’s “Certified San Marzano” label misleads shoppers about origin, taste, and quality. Plaintiffs contend the product lacks the thicker wall, fewer seeds, and lower acidity that define true San Marzano fruit, and that the labeling inflates the price unjustifiably.
Conflicting Views on Certification Validity
Cento relies on Agri-Cert certification, which it argues meets the varietal and geographic requirements, while the plaintiffs maintain that only the consortium’s DOP seal satisfies EU law. The 2020 dismissal suggests a judicial view that third-party certification may be sufficient, yet the current suit argues that the absence of consortium endorsement renders the claim deceptive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “San Marzano tomatoes are considered the Ferrari or Prada of canned tomato varieties.” — Martha Stewart website (cited in complaint)
- “Defendant’s claims that its tomatoes are ‘certified’ ‘San Marzano’ tomatoes misleadingly convey that the product is the famous San Marzano tomato certified by and exceeding the standards of Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino when in fact the product does not meet that standard,” — Complaint filing
- “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.” — Cento Fine Foods attorney
- “Defendant’s marketing and labeling of Cento San Marzanos as ‘Certified San Marzano’ tomatoes is false, misleading, and unfair,” — Plaintiffs’ lawsuit
- “The judge in that case wrote that a "reasonable consumer" was unlikely to seek out a specific "Consortium certified" San Marzano tomato over one that matched the same standards but was certified by a different body.” — Judge, 2020 dismissal
Next Steps in the Litigation
The case now proceeds to discovery in the Northern District of California. Cento is expected to file a motion to dismiss, while plaintiffs may seek a preliminary injunction to halt sales of the contested products. The court’s ruling on the adequacy of Agri-Cert versus consortium certification will likely shape the outcome.
