UK Supermarkets May Use Chinese Tomatoes Linked to Forced Labor, BBC Investigation Reveals

A BBC investigation has raised serious concerns about the content of "Italian" tomato purees sold by various UK supermarkets, suggesting that they may include tomatoes produced under forced labor conditions in China. The findings highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs and other minorities face systemic abuses.

According to a recent BBC investigation, several "Italian" tomato purees available in UK supermarkets may actually contain tomatoes sourced from China's Xinjiang province, a region notorious for human rights abuses and forced labor practices. This revelation stems from tests commissioned by the BBC World Service, which identified 17 products that likely included Chinese tomatoes, despite many products prominently featuring "Italian" branding.

The supermarket brands implicated include popular names such as Tesco, Asda, and Waitrose, with products explicitly describing themselves as containing "Italian grown tomatoes." The report highlights that a significant portion of China's tomatoes is produced in Xinjiang, where allegations of forced labor involving Uyghur and other marginalized minorities have been rampant. Human rights organizations claim that over a million Uyghurs have been detained in facilities labeled "re-education camps" by the Chinese government.

Eyewitness accounts from former laborers in Xinjiang detail harrowing experiences of abuse and forced labor while picking tomatoes. With strict quotas imposed—sometimes as high as 650 kg daily—workers faced severe punishment for failing to meet demands. The testimonies of these workers align with evidence presented in a UN report that also addressed torture within Chinese detention centers.

The investigation employed advanced lab testing to trace the origin of tomatoes in various brands sold across the UK, Germany, and the US. Collaborating with Source Certain, an origin verification firm, traces of different elements allowed for a unique "fingerprint" identification of tomatoes from specific regions. While the majority of tested products did show Italian origins, 17 were linked to Xinjiang, mostly produced by the Italian group Antonio Petti.

In total, the investigation examined 64 products, including those from well-known brands. Although several retailers have refuted the findings, Lidl has acknowledged that some versions of its tomato paste contained Chinese tomatoes for a brief period due to supply shortages. The company is investigating this matter further.

While the Italian authorities previously launched probes into potential fraud relating to tomato sourcing, the allegations were eventually dismissed in a settlement. In an undercover operation, a BBC journalist discovered that representatives from Petti acknowledged the possibility of using Chinese tomatoes, provided that the buyer was in agreement.

Despite assertions from Petti about not sourcing from Xinjiang, discrepancies in documentation and shipping records have raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, experts warn that current labor regulations in the UK may be insufficient, emphasizing the need for more robust measures to ensure ethical sourcing in the food supply chain.

The report photos garners significant attention from human rights advocates, as it underscores a troubling reality that cheap food often comes at a high ethical cost.