State lawmakers from the U.S. state of Georgia have passed a bill that would require restaurants to clearly note on their menus if the shrimp they are serving is imported.
“It is time we support our domestic shrimpers and ensure that consumers know what they are eating,” Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) said upon introducing the legislation in January. “Only 5 percent of imported foods are inspected, and shrimp from Thailand, China, India, and Ecuador primarily are often pond-raised in unsanitary environments. I believe this measure will give consumers the knowledge they need to request domestic and, hopefully, Georgia wild shrimp.”
If it becomes law, the legislation would require commercial foodservice establishments serving imported shrimp in Georgia to display the text “FOREIGN IMPORTED” next to all menu items containing shrimp. Alternatively, restaurants can display the words “FOREIGN IMPORTED SHRIMP” on placards visible to the public.
The legislation mirrors similar efforts in Southern states to mandate disclosure of foreign-origin shrimp and encourage local businesses and consumers to instead opt for locally sourced domestic shrimp. Louisiana has had a shrimp-labeling law on the books since 2019, and Mississippi has followed suit. In the latter state, lawmakers are looking to strengthen Mississippi law by requiring country-of-origin information to be listed “clearly and prominently” on menus or labels.
There have also been private efforts to highlight the proliferation of foreign shrimp competing with domestic product in the Southern United States.
In Mississippi, Bethany Fayard, the vice president of Ocean Springs, Mississippi-based Ocean Springs Seafood, launched the Patriotic Prawns program to encourage consumers to buy local. The program provides a sticker to companies that can ensure they only sell U.S.-sourced shrimp.
The Southern Shrimp Association and SeaD Consulting have also been conducting DNA testing at restaurants and festivals in the Southern United States, revealing a shocking number of eateries and vendors offering foreign-origin shrimp over domestic shrimp.
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission notified U.S. restaurants that it is illegal to use decorations or menu descriptions to mislead customers about seafood origins.
Petrea claims his legislation will give consumers in Georgia more transparency into the origins and quality of the shrimp they purchase.
“Imported shrimp, primarily from India, China, Vietnam, Ecuador, Thailand, and Indonesia, simply do not have the same health standards as domestic shrimp,” Petrea said in a social media post. “Moreover, they have high rates of inspection failure due to antibiotics and other drugs used to treat infection due to being pond-raised in crowded environments. The FDA only inspects 0.7 percent of those imports. Georgians can eat what they want, but they should know what they are eating and feeding their family.”
Lawmakers in the Georgia House passed the bill with overwhelming support; 165 legislators voted for the bill, with just 7 registering opposition.
Next, the legislation will need to be approved by the Georgia Senate before being sent to the Governor Brian Kemp to be signed into law.
