Texas Pete Comes From North Carolina According To Lawsuit
A lawsuit claims Texas Pete is from North Carolina, not Texas. A Los Angeles man filed a class action lawsuit against Winston-Salem-based T.W. Garner Food Co. for false advertising. The product is not made in Texas, but instead in North Carolina. Philip White noticed the discrepancy when he bought the $3 bottle of hot sauce a year ago. He alleges the labeling, language, name and images mislead consumers. The complaint doesn’t say where the ingredients come from. However, it does indicate the ingredients in the sauce come from “sources outside of Texas.” North Carolina manufactures Texas Pete. So, the lawsuit claims the beloved Texas Pete is from North Carolina. How does such a mix-up happen in the first place? It seems T.W. Garner Foods’ Sam Garner and his sons wanted an American name that conjured up thoughts of spicy cuisine. Texas came to mind right away. Garner’s son Harold’s nickname was Pete. That’s how Texas Pete Hot Sauce was born. The lawsuit alleges the company used false marketing to capitalize on the spicy food associated with The Lone Star State. So, what exactly makes up a Texas-style hot sauce? The complaint says the ingredients should be from Texas with a uniquely Texas flavor profile. Texas Pete, Tabasco and Frank’s Red Hot are considered standard Louisiana-style sauces. So, shouldn’t Louisiana feel dissed? That’s a different battle, different day I guess. Anyway, here’s a quick recipe using Texas Pete.
The complaint wants courts to force Texas Pete to make a name and branding change and pay damages. The lawsuit requires a response by November 10. As a native Texan, I admit I had no idea of this controversy. And, I don’t necessarily care where it comes from as long as it’s good. While we need truth in advertising, I don’t really think the name of a hot sauce is hurting anyone in a significant way. That’s my two cents. I certainly could be wrong.
