A class-action lawsuit filed in May 2026 accuses Cento Fine Foods of misleading consumers by labeling its canned tomatoes as 'certified' San Marzano, a premium variety protected under European Union law. Authentic San Marzano tomatoes must be grown and processed in a specific region of southern Italy and meet strict standards to earn Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) status. The lawsuit claims Cento's labeling falsely implies official certification by the Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano, when the products do not meet those standards.

Plaintiffs say they purchased Cento's tomatoes believing they were authentic DOP-recognized San Marzano tomatoes and would not have done so had they known otherwise. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks at least $25 million in restitution and changes to Cento's marketing practices. The company denies the allegations, citing a previous dismissal of a similar 2019 lawsuit in New York.

Cento has maintained that its tomatoes are grown in the Sarnese-Nocerino region near Mount Vesuvius and are audited by an independent third party in Italy. However, the current lawsuit argues that certification requires more than just geography—it involves verified compliance with production standards. The outcome could impact how imported specialty foods are labeled and marketed in the U.S.