A United States Senator has introduced new legislation designed to enhance inspection and testing of imported seafood, and to combat mislabeling.
U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said this week that the legislation will require “increased inspection and testing standards for all imported seafood products.” It also requires harsher penalties for anyone who knowingly mislabels products, and allows for a ban on imports from violators.
Vitter, in a statement, said the new legislation builds on previous legislation he wrote to prevent any seafood from entering the United States if it doesn’t comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Federal Food, Cosmetic and Drug Act.
“Ensuring the safety of imported seafood products is vital to protecting consumers and the seafood industry in Louisiana,” Vitter said. “Last year, I introduced a bill to prevent ‘port shopping’ and stop importers from attempting to bring in substandard products after first being denied entry at a particular port. This legislation goes even further and includes increased standards to help ensure the quality and safety of imported seafood products.”
The proposed new law drew praise from Mike Strain, Louisiana’s commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
“All foreign seafood coming into this country needs to be held to the same standards as that of our domestic seafood industry,” Strain said. “We think that this is the first step of many to protect our American seafood consumers.”
