Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation requiring commingled seafood to be labeled as such, preventing wholesalers and retailers from mixing imported shrimp with domestic product and selling it as locally sourced.
“I was down in Lafitte today with ... our local shrimpers to sign HB 857 into law. This bill finally puts teeth behind the rules by penalizing the sale of unlabeled and commingled seafood,” Landry said in a Facebook post after signing the bill on 11 June. “We’re protecting Louisiana jobs and defending our seafood industry!”
HB 857 would fine retailers USD 15,000 (EUR 12,904) for presenting commingled seafood as locally sourced, with penalties rising to USD 25,000 (EUR 21,506) for a second offense and USD 50,000 (EUR 43,013) for a third offense. The legislation was passed by the Louisiana House 31 March and by the Louisiana Senate 13 May.
Advocates claimed the rule strengthens the state’s shrimp labeling rule, which requires retailers to label the shrimp they offer as either imported or domestic.
“This legislation is a major victory for Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 857 strengthens seafood labeling laws and helps protect our hardworking fishermen by preventing imported and commingled seafood from being falsely marketed as Louisiana seafood,” the United Cajun Navy – an emergency response organization – said in a Facebook post. “For generations, Louisiana fishermen have put food on our tables, supported local economies, and preserved a way of life that defines our culture. When imported seafood is mislabeled, it hurts our families, businesses, and communities. This bill helps ensure consumers know exactly where their seafood comes from and protects the reputation of Louisiana’s world-famous seafood industry.”
Last month, Landry signed into law a bill which authorized the Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner to destroy incorrectly labeled seafood products.
