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 148 requires 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.