Despite a tough economic climate, New Orleans restaurants are now preparing for a stricter seafood-tracking law that comes with the risk of steep penalties.
House Bill 857 targets restaurants that mislabel menus or mix imported seafood with local catch, with fines up to $50,000. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill on Thursday (June 11), and it will take effect on August 1.
The law also adds new expectations for tracking seafood as it moves through the supply chain — from boats to distributors to restaurant kitchens. Because seafood can pass through several hands before it ever reaches a menu, some details about how the state will verify the origin and enforce the rules are still being worked out…