LAFAYETTE, KATC — Louisiana lawmakers have introduced a sweeping new seafood labeling law to ensure greater transparency for consumers and hold restaurants accountable for misleading claims about the origin of their seafood.
Effective January 1, Act 148requires food establishments to clearly state the origin of their seafood on menus, distinguishing between local and imported products. The law mandates that the font size and style used to display the seafood origin be consistent with the rest of the menu, making it easier for customers to identify where their meal is sourced.
Will DuBois, managing director of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, praised the new regulations, emphasizing their simplicity and the clarity they provide. "There were laws on the books before," DuBois said. "I believe that the new laws make it easier for restaurants to comply, as now they have a standardized language that’s easy to put on their menu."
Louisiana’s coastal waters have long been known for producing some of the freshest seafood in the country, from shrimp etouffee to gumbo. However, an influx of imported seafood in recent years has prompted concerns about misleading labeling in some local restaurants.
For the past 25 years, Sharon Sebastien has co-owned Sebastien’s West End Seafood Market in Opelousas, offering a variety of local catches like shrimp, oysters, catfish, and garfish. But as the seafood industry faces growing competition from imported products, Sebastien is navigating new regulations to keep local preferences fresh.
"We handle a variety of different types of seafood. We have oysters, we have shrimp, we have catfish, garfish, buffalo ribs," Sebastien said.
Though Sebastien strives to support local fishermen, she acknowledges that sourcing 100% local seafood is not always feasible. “Some people don’t have a preference at all. We do like to support locals. That is our number one goal. But even in the seafood business, we can’t always get local, so therefore we do rely on imported seafood at times, and people have no problem purchasing it,” she explained.
Some local customers are hesitant to buy imports. Jermaine Greene, a regular at Sebastien’s market, says he prefers local seafood. “I definitely prefer local,” Greene stated. He understands why others might opt for cheaper imported options but expressed concern over the quality of foreign products. "I’ve just heard a lot of horror stories about imports. If I have to pay a little more to stay locally and help out the local residents, that’s what I’m willing to do," Greene said.
DuBois noted that the law also supports the state's seafood industry, which is a vital part of Louisiana's economy. "Louisiana seafood is seasonal. We want to make sure that our restaurant members are complying with the law so if they are serving imported seafood—which they are well within their right to do—they follow the new law," DuBois said.
The new provisions are expected to not only clarify the origin of seafood served in local eateries but also strengthen consumer trust in Louisiana's restaurant industry.
While previous laws aimed to address these issues, enforcement had been inconsistent. Act 148 seeks to close that gap, with new penalties for non-compliance. First-time offenders could face fines ranging from $200 to $500.
"It’s pretty great because it’s spelled out in the legislation exactly what they need to put on their menus," DuBois added. "It makes it easier on us to ensure compliance."
Despite the changes, Sebastien has drawn a clear line when it comes to one Louisiana delicacy: crawfish. "Never, never, ever do I handle imported crawfish. That is something we keep near and dear to our hearts,” Sebastien stated emphatically.
As Louisiana’s seafood industry adapts to shifting consumer preferences and stricter regulations, Sebastien remains committed to offering the freshest, locally sourced products while embracing transparency in the marketplace.
