What U.S. Supreme Court case classified tomatoes as vegetables?
The U.S. Supreme Court case that famously classified tomatoes as vegetables, for the purposes of tariffs and commerce, was Nix v. Hedden, decided in 1893. This case arose from a dispute over the Tariff Act of 1883, which imposed a duty on imported vegetables but not on fruits. John Nix & Co., a fruit commission merchant, argued that tomatoes, being botanically fruits (as they develop from the flower and contain seeds), should not be subject to the tariff on vegetables.
However, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Nix & Co. The Court reasoned that while tomatoes may be botanically classified as fruits, in the common language of the people, and in the context of trade and consumption, they are considered and used as vegetables. Justice Horace Gray, writing for the Court, noted that tomatoes are typically served with or as part of the main meal, rather than as a dessert like most fruits. This decision established a legal precedent based on common usage rather than strict botanical definitions for the purpose of customs regulations.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment