Fresh tomatoes

Tomatoes are the edible, usually red, fruit of the nightshade plant Solanum lycopersicum. Native to western South America, they are now cultivated worldwide and used in a vast array of dishes.

Tomatoes are used for their flavour, colour, and texture in a wide range of savoury dishes, including sauces, soups, salads, and as a pizza topping. They are a staple ingredient in many cuisines, valued for their versatility and distinctive taste.

Tomatoes are a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, notably lycopene. They are not considered a food additive and are a common part of a balanced diet. There are no specific regulatory restrictions on their use as a food ingredient in the UK. Research has explored the potential health benefits of compounds found in tomatoes, such as lycopene, in relation to various health conditions, but these are areas of ongoing scientific interest rather than established medical facts.