Tesco and Waitrose are among the supermarkets facing backlash after a BBC investigation alleged their ‘Italian’ tomato purée may contain tomatoes grown and picked in China using forced labour.
A BBC Eye investigation found that Britain’s largest supermarket is one of several supermarkets marketing its own-brand tomato purée as ‘Italian’, but claimed contains tomatoes grown in both Italy and China.
It is understood that independent testing commissioned by BBC World Service claimed that 17 products sold by several leading UK and German supermarket chains, including Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons and Asda, contained at least some tomatoes of Chinese origin.
The products are all from ‘own-brand’ ranges, including Essential Waitrose Tomato Purée, Asda’s Organic Tomato Purée, Tesco’s Italian Tomato Purée and Morrisons Tomato Purée.
China is one of the world’s largest tomato producers, with supplies coming from the Xinjiang province, an area which has been highlighted by the United Nations from reports of human rights abuse and forced labour of minorities.
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It is thought Italian tomato manufacturer Antonia Petti, which produces products under its own name but also supplies own-brand to supermarkets, is a major recipient of tomatoes from the Xinjiang region.
Following the investigation, Tesco immediately suspended its supply, while Waitrose and Morrisons said they have since run their own tests and the results contradicted the BBC’s investigation by not showing any presence of Chinese tomatoes.
A Waitrose spokesman told the Telegraph: “We were appalled to hear these serious allegations, and launched an immediate investigation, sending a team of food auditors to the site in Italy.
“We’ve now conducted isotope testing at a leading, independent lab – along with a detailed traceability audit on our puree – neither of which showed evidence of Chinese tomatoes. If we identify any evidence that our puree was not produced in line with our strict specification, we will take urgent action.”
Tesco, Asda and Morrisons have been contacted for comment.
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