'Chinese Forced Labour Linked to Italian Tomato Purees in UK Supermarkets'

A recent investigation by the BBC has uncovered that several "Italian" tomato purees sold in UK supermarkets may contain tomatoes sourced from China, linked to forced labour practices involving Uyghur and other Muslim minorities. Despite denials from the supermarkets involved, the findings raise serious ethical concerns about food supply chains.

In a detailed report, the BBC has disclosed that numerous tomato purees marketed as "Italian" by major UK supermarkets potentially contain tomatoes harvested under duress in China. Brands such as Tesco and Asda boast names like "Italian Tomato Purée," which suggests they are authentically Italian products. However, laboratory testing commissioned by the BBC suggests that 17 products, primarily private label items, could actually incorporate tomatoes from China's Xinjiang province—a region infamous for its alleged use of forced labour.

Xinjiang is known for producing about a third of the world's tomatoes, with reports indicating that many local growers are implicated in human rights abuses against Uyghurs as part of the Chinese government's larger policies against this minority. The region has been the focus of international scrutiny since 2017, with human rights organizations estimating that over a million people have been detained in what China terms "re-education camps."

The BBC's investigation included testimonies from former workers in Xinjiang, who detailed their experiences of forced labour in the tomato fields, highlighting abusive practices and extreme quotas imposed on them. For example, one former detainee described experiencing electric shocks as punishment for not meeting their daily harvest requirements.

To assess the validity of the origin claims made by various purees, the BBC partnered with an Australian firm specializing in product verification. The firm utilized a method to create a unique "fingerprint" based on trace elements that are absorbed by tomatoes depending on their geographic origin. The tests confirmed that several of the examined products did include tomatoes from Xinjiang, particularly those processed by the Italian company Antonio Petti, which had significant shipments of tomato paste from the region.

Despite these findings, the supermarkets involved, including Waitrose and Morrisons, have challenged the testing methodology, asserting that their own investigations found no evidence of Chinese tomatoes in their products. Tesco even halted supplies and Rewe withdrew the affected items from shelves immediately. In contrast, Lidl admitted to previously using Chinese tomatoes in a specific product line, citing supply chain challenges.

The Petti group has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its sourcing practices, admitting to buying tomato paste from multiple suppliers but denying any association with forced labour. Investigative efforts revealed that the firm’s practices may still involve relationships with companies linked to forced labour despite claims to the contrary. The Italian company has pledged not to source tomatoes from China going forward and to enhance supplier monitoring.

Moving forward, human rights advocates caution that certain shifts in legislation in the EU and UK may not adequately address the issues of forced labour in supply chains. As calls for stronger regulations grow, experts urge consumers to consider the implications of low food prices and to understand the true costs associated with their purchases.

With the complexities of global supply chains highlighted, this investigation underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability within the food industry, particularly for products marketed under ethical pretenses.