UK Supermarkets Accused of Selling 'Italian' Tomato Puree with Chinese Forced-Labor Links

Investigations reveal Chinese-sourced tomatoes allegedly mislabeled as Italian, raising concerns over forced labor in Xinjiang and supply chain transparency.

A BBC investigation found that 17 tomato puree products sold in UK and German supermarkets, often labeled as 'Italian,' likely contain tomatoes sourced from China's Xinjiang region.
Xinjiang, a major tomato-producing area, is linked to forced labor practices involving Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, according to UN reports and eyewitness accounts.
Italian firm Antonio Petti was identified as a key importer of Xinjiang tomato paste, with its products distributed under its own brand and supermarket private labels across Europe.
Supermarkets, including Tesco, Waitrose, and Lidl, have disputed the findings, with some conducting internal tests, while others, like Tesco and Rewe, suspended or withdrew implicated products.
The investigation highlights gaps in UK and EU regulations on forced labor in supply chains, with calls for stricter laws to prevent such abuses in imported goods.