A BBC investigation has found evidence suggesting that tomato purees labeled as "Italian" and sold in major UK supermarkets may contain ingredients produced using forced labor in China's Xinjiang region. The investigation analyzed shipping data and conducted laboratory testing of 64 different tomato products.

The investigation identified Italian tomato processor Antonio Petti as having received over 36 million kg of tomato paste between 2020-2023 from Xinjiang Guannong and its subsidiaries. Lab tests indicated that 17 of the tested products appeared to contain Chinese tomatoes, including 10 made by Petti.

In response to BBC, Tesco suspended supply and Rewe withdrew products, while Waitrose, Morrisons, Edeka and Rewe said their own tests found no evidence of Chinese tomatoes. Lidl acknowledged possible presence of Chinese tomatoes in Germany-market products supplied by Giaguaro, which the BBC understands were sourced from Xinjiang company Cofco Tunhe, sanctioned by the US in December 2023 for forced labour. Giaguaro said it respects workers' rights and is not currently using Chinese tomatoes. The Petti group stated it had not bought from Xinjiang Guannong since US sanctions in 2020 but acknowledged purchasing from Bazhou Red Fruit.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited responses from the other companies named in the BBC investigation: Guannong Tomato, Cofco Tunhe, and Bazhou Red Fruit. Only Guannong responded. Guannong Tomato responded highlighting its compliance with Chinese labour laws and rejecting BBC's allegations. Cofco Tunhe and Bazhou Red Fruit did not respond.