shrimp

SHREVEPORT, La. - Louisiana consumers will soon have more information about where their seafood comes from under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Jeff Landry.

House Bill 857 requires seafood products that contain a mix of domestic and imported seafood — known as commingled seafood — to be clearly labeled. The law also extends penalties to businesses that market commingled seafood as domestic Louisiana product.

Supporters say the measure is intended to increase transparency in the seafood marketplace and ensure consumers know the origin of the seafood they purchase.

The legislation comes as Louisiana's seafood industry continues to face challenges from hurricanes, environmental issues and competition from imported seafood.

At Ernest's Orleans Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge in Shreveport, owner Ernest Palmisano, Jr. said he supports giving customers accurate information about the products they buy.

"Over my years in my career, I've watched Louisiana seafood go from the best it ever was to decline for a lot of reasons — hurricanes or pollution," Ernest said. "Those times we had to go to other countries to get seafood in order to stay in business, but I don't think it's a bad thing to tell people where you got the merchandise."

Ernest said the law could also provide benefits beyond consumer awareness by making it easier to trace the source of seafood if a food safety concern arises.

"If somebody happens to get sick or have trouble with the food, a doctor can go immediately to the origin of whatever country this thing came from," he said.

Under Louisiana law, businesses found mislabeling imported or commingled seafood as domestic products can face civil penalties. Fines can reach up to $15,000 for a first offense, $25,000 for a second offense and $50,000 for third and subsequent violations.

The new law takes effect Aug. 1.