Several prominent British supermarkets have been accused of selling “Italian” tomato purée containing tomatoes from China’s Xinjiang region, where forced labor is alleged. Products like Tesco’s “Italian Tomato Purée” and Waitrose’s “Essential Tomato Purée” were found to include Chinese tomatoes, despite being labeled as Italian. A BBC investigation discovered that 17 products, predominantly from UK and German brands, contained tomatoes from Xinjiang, raising concerns about labeling accuracy and supply chain transparency.
In particular, Xinjiang, a major tomato-producing region in China, has faced widespread accusations of human rights abuses, with Uyghur and other Muslim minorities reportedly forced to work under harsh conditions. The United Nations has highlighted credible reports suggesting that over a million Muslims detained in camps have been subjected to forced labor. Human rights organizations claim that crimes against humanity, including genocide, are occurring, while a 2022 UN report outlined allegations of forced labor and torture in the region’s detention centers.
China denies allegations of mistreating Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, claiming that the camps are vocational training centers intended to combat extremism.
Shipping data analysis by the BBC reveals that Xinjiang tomatoes typically reach Europe through a route passing through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, before being shipped to Italy. The investigation also highlights Antonio Petti, an Italian tomato-processing company, as a significant importer of Xinjiang tomato paste, receiving over 36 million kilograms between 2020 and 2023.
In an undercover BBC investigation, Pasquale Petti, general manager of the Petti group, acknowledged using Chinese tomatoes to lower production costs.
“No one in Europe wants Chinese tomatoes. But if for you it is OK, we will find a way to produce the best price possible,” he said in response.
Following the publication of the findings, Tesco and Rewe suspended supplies, while Waitrose and Morrisons questioned the methodology and denied using Chinese tomatoes. Lidl acknowledged briefly sourcing Chinese tomatoes in Germany due to supply shortages. Petti denied current links to forced labor, claiming it no longer imports from Xinjiang Guannong and is strengthening supplier monitoring. However, evidence suggests ongoing connections between Xinjiang Guannong and another Petti supplier, Bazhou Red Fruit.
“In future we will not import tomato products from China and will enhance our monitoring of suppliers to ensure compliance with human and workers’ rights,” Petti concluded.
