UK Parliament Investigates Uyghur Forced Labor in Tomato Products

The U.K. Parliament is addressing concerns following a BBC investigation revealing that “Italian” tomato purees sold in British supermarkets may be produced using forced labor from the Uyghur region in China, RFA reported yesterday.

The report identified 17 products, primarily store-brand items, linked to Chinese tomatoes, raising alarms about supply chain ethics.

Labour MP Sarah Champion emphasized the need for stronger product labeling regulations to prevent misleading consumers. She highlighted that around 700,000 Uyghurs are allegedly forced to work in tomato production.

China has dismissed the claims as a smear campaign, asserting that mechanization has replaced manual labor in the region.

While the U.K. recognizes the human rights abuses in Xinjiang, it lacks stringent legislation like the U.S. ban on exports from the area. Lawmakers are calling for an overhaul of the Modern Slavery Act to better combat forced labor in supply chains.