Lawmakers pass regulations on imported seafood in Louisiana

Louisiana lawmakers passed changes affecting imported seafood sold in and outside the state’s restaurants. The bill was introduced last Wednesday to strengthen regulations against misleading seafood labeling and marketing to protect the country’s struggling seafood industry. The bill clearly impacts public health codes that will impact thousands of food trucks, grocery stores, restaurants, other businesses, state agencies and schools across the state.

According to the Louisiana Illuminator, Sen. Patrick Connick sponsored Senate Bill 166 (SB166), which has overwhelming bipartisan support. SB166 includes a number of changes intended to tighten state seafood labeling regulations through new prohibitions on misleading marketing and new requirements for restaurants and other food establishments that serve shrimp and crawfish. The new regulations will introduce more significant penalties for violations and give the Louisiana Department of Health and the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry new enforcement powers.

Louisiana markets were flooded with cheap imported seafood, mainly shrimp and crawfish. According to the Louisiana Shrimp Association, most restaurants serve foreign seafood to customers who believe they are buying locally caught fish. These effects put the local seafood industry at risk and introduce contaminants that are not contained in locally caught U.S. seafood.

The 2020 LSU Agricultural Center study tested a variety of imported shrimp purchased from multiple locations in the Baton Rouge area. Banned veterinary drugs were detected in more than two-thirds of the samples. Scientists have noted that banned chemicals can seriously affect humans.

Senator Connick wrote his bill based on recommendations from the Legislature’s Seafood Safety Task Force, which is exploring ways to regulate imported seafood without generating too much opposition from restaurants. The bill highlights a 2019 requirement that all establishments and restaurants must indicate on their menu or sign whether they serve imported shrimp or crayfish. It was noted that many restaurants were not following this recommendation “consciously or unconsciously.”

The new law clearly states that all food establishments must “clearly indicate the country of origin in a manner readily visible to the consumer.” Owners of an establishment who still choose to serve foreign catch must include a disclaimer stating: “Some dishes served at this establishment may contain important seafood. Ask for more information.” The state health department will be responsible for enforcing menu regulations and can issue fines even if the restaurant has never been cited before.

The next part of the bill concerns wholesale or retail points of sale of seafood. Prohibits the use of any misleading packaging or marketing materials containing images, phrases, colors or styles associated with the state on any foreign seafood products that are not caught or produced in Louisiana. The state agriculture commissioner will be responsible for enforcing the new packaging and marketing law.

Local commercial fishermen, as well as fishing groups, expressed support for the bill. Acy Cooper, president of the Louisiana Shrimp Association, told Illuminator, “They were selling shrimp in the name of our culture.”

Finally, the bill would require all local school districts, state agencies, and seafood establishments to consume only domestic shrimp and crawfish. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2025. Legislators are also considering introducing separate regulations that would increase license fees for seafood importers.