Label Issues A Concern For Louisiana Shrimpers

You'd think it would be easy to label food. Especially a food product like shrimp. Here in Louisiana shrimp is not only good to eat, it's good for the economy. Louisiana shrimpers are responsible for millions of dollars in economic impact and the reputation of their product is impeccable.

Maybe that's why imported products are always looking for loopholes in the law that allow their inferior product be more closely identified with our outstanding quality.

90% of the shrimp eaten in this country is imported and Louisiana shrimpers provide 5%-6% of that remaining 10%. How do importers get around the labeling laws that require country of origin labeling? Clint Guidry is President of the Louisiana Shrimp Association and he explained the procedure to the Louisiana Radio Network.

"If a processor of imported shrimp in this country, it's three steps:  you can peel it, devein it, batter it and put breading on it, it then becomes essentially domestic.  It's a product of the USA.  And that qualifies under the "Country of Origin" labeling law."

So the shrimp may come from somewhere else but because it's breaded or processed in the United States the label is legally allowed to be misleading.  So a lot of us well meaning consumers who are enjoying shrimp labeled "gulf" or "wild" shrimp might actually be consuming a product not originally of this country.

What is the solution to this conundrum? Guidry says the answer is already on the books,

"A lot of our issues with the domestic shrimp industry are not having to pass any new laws, they're just getting the federal government to enforce the laws that are already on the books."

I know that revelation is shocking to you, a Louisiana industry being harmed by government inaction.

What we can do as connoisseurs of Louisiana shrimp and seafood is quite simple. Read the labels carefully and understand what those labels really mean. When ever possible buy from local markets who specialize in local products and that way you're eating the best and helping your neighbors reap the rewards of their hard work and skill.