In brief
A BBC investigation finds that several “Italian” tomato purees sold in UK supermarkets are likely to include tomatoes from China, where forced labour is alleged to be prevalent. Despite denials from retailers and claims of investigations disputing these findings, the inquiry points to significant human rights concerns in the tomato supply chain.
An investigation by the BBC has uncovered troubling evidence that multiple “Italian” tomato purees available in UK supermarkets could contain tomatoes sourced from China, specifically the Xinjiang region, where allegations of forced labour have emerged. The products in question feature “Italian” in their branding or descriptions, like Tesco’s “Italian Tomato Purée” and Waitrose’s “Essential Tomato Purée,” among others.Testing commissioned by the BBC World Service identified 17 products, primarily own-brand items sold in UK and German retailers, as potentially containing Chinese tomatoes. This is concerning as most tomato production in China is linked to Uyghur and other Muslim minority groups, who are reportedly subject to forced labour practices as part of the Chinese government’s crackdown on these communities. Human rights organizations assert that over a million Uyghurs have been detained in facilities classified by the Chinese state as “re-education camps.” China refutes these claims, alleging that the information is based on disinformation.The investigation specifically noted that these Chinese tomatoes were transported to Italy, implicating major tomato processing companies like Antonio Petti, which received large quantities of tomato paste from Xinjiang-based firms between 2020 and 2023. In total, researchers tested 64 different tomato purees, including leading Italian brands and supermarket own-brands, to ascertain the true origin of the tomatoes used. Results indicated that while many products did contain genuine Italian tomatoes, a significant number were linked to Chinese production. The investigation highlighted a troubling trend within the supermarket supply chain—17 products, 10 of which were made by Petti, showed evidence of containing Chinese tomatoes.In response to the findings, the implicated supermarkets, including Tesco and Morrisons, have insisted that they take the allegations seriously and have conducted internal investigations, many of which claimed to have found no evidence of Chinese tomatoes. Notably, Lidl acknowledged that one version of its product included Chinese tomatoes due to supply issues, but stated that it no longer does.Despite some companies garnering scrutiny for forced labour associations, like the Petti group—which was previously raided on suspicion of fraud related to tomato sourcing—the issue's complexities persist. An undercover BBC reporter's interactions with Petti officials suggest that the use of Chinese tomatoes could be an open secret among suppliers if demand and pricing align.As international scrutiny over supply chains grows, particularly in light of stronger EU legislation against forced labour, activists warn that without stricter measures in the UK, it risks becoming a hub for products that may exploit vulnerable populations. Current UK laws, including the Modern Slavery Act, are criticized as inadequate to ensure the absence of forced labour in supply chains.The findings raise essential questions about the true economic and ethical costs behind low-priced food products in supermarkets, and how consumer choices—and corporate accountability—may play a role in mitigating these human rights violations in global supply chains.
