Nearly One In Four Baton Rouge Restaurant Shrimp Dishes Misrepresented To Customers

(KMDL-FM) Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital city and home to restaurants that serve thousands of residents and visitors each year. But recent genetic testing of shrimp dishes at Baton Rouge restaurants found that some shrimp advertised as domestic or wild-caught was actually imported or farm-raised.

The latest testing by SeaD Consulting, conducted on behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, found that 27% of the Baton Rouge shrimp dishes sampled were misrepresented. That's an increase from 21% during a previous round of testing in April.

The findings raise questions about seafood labeling in Louisiana and whether customers are getting accurate information about where the shrimp they're ordering actually comes from.

Louisiana Has an Imported Shrimp Problem Covered by Loophole

SeaD Consulting first came to us more than a year ago with information that several vendors at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City were not following Louisiana seafood labeling laws. Many of those vendors were caught selling imported shrimp and calling it Louisiana.

Submitted Photo via SeaD Consulting

The latest test done by SeaD Consulting on behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, which represents shrimp fishermen, processors, and related businesses in Louisiana and the seven other warm water shrimp-producing states. The results of the testing found that the "misrepresentation rate" in Baton Rouge regarding shrimp and its origin had risen from 21% in April to 27% in an August sampling.

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To add insult to injury for Louisiana Shrimpers and their families, 100% of the shrimp found to be imported by SeaD genetic testing were advertised and identified as domestic.

Submitted Photo via SeaD Consulting

A breakdown of the April 2026 Baton Rouge test found that 30 of 44 dishes tested were found to be American Wild Caught; that's 68%. Nine of the 44 dishes tested were found to be imported or farm-raised and were explicitly misrepresented as Wild Caught; that is 21%.

The most recent Baton Rouge restaurant shrimp test found that 16 of 22 dishes tested were found to be American Wild Caught; that's 73%. While 6 of 22 dishes were found to be imported or farm-raised and were again explicitly misrepresented as Wild Caught; that's 27%.

Understanding Louisiana's Imported Seafood Disclosure Rules

Submitted Photo via SeaD Consulting

Many restaurants post a sign that reads: “Some items served at this establishment may contain imported seafood. Ask for more information.” That loophole takes all the pressure of honest disclosure off of the offending business. It puts the responsibility on you and me instead. And we, as Louisiana seafood lovers, should be asking the question every time we order shrimp.

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There is legislation that would close this loophole. House Bill 857 specifically addresses the issue of "commingling".That would be the practice of imported shrimp being mixed in with legitimate wild-caught shrimp. That legislation would require processors, distributors, and those who serve seafood to disclose the seafood for what it is.

Just so you know, we have inquired about obtaining a list of restaurants that do not comply with current Louisiana seafood labeling law. That request was declined. However, I will happily share with you the Baton Rouge restaurants that have been confirmed and proudly serve American Wild-Caught Shrimp.

The Following Baton Rouge Restaurants Sampled Serve American Wild-Caught Shrimp

Boiled shrimps, peeled for cooking

Included on the list of restaurants that passed "American Wild-Caught Shrimp" inspection are Acme Oyster House on Perkins, Baton Rouge Po Boy on O'Neal Lane, BRQ Seafood and Barbecue on Jefferson Highway, City Cafe on O'Neal Lane, Cork's Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp on Government Street. Crawford's Restaurant on Staring Lane, Doe's Eat Place on Government Street, Drusilla Seafood Restaurant on Drusilla Lane, Frank's Restaurant on Airline Highway, Jack's Seafood on Plank Road, Mike Anderson's on West Lee, Parrain's Seafood on Perkins Road, SoLou on Perkins Road, and Tony's Seafood Market and Deli on Plank Road.

These were the only locations listed on the report, and businesses that were tested but did not pass inspection were not included in the findings. In addition, just because a business isn't listed above doesn't mean they don't serve American Wild-Caught Shrimp. Always ask your server/manager if the establishment serves 100% American Wild-Caught Shrimp.

READ MORE: See The Result of SeaD Consulting Tests in CENLA

You can learn more about the testing that was just completed in Baton Rouge. And if you have some legitimate Louisiana Gulf Shrimp, you can create something delicious using these suggestions. Trust me, they taste better when they come from Louisiana waters.