Louisiana Seafood Task Force expands antibiotic testing amid compliance challenges

Louisiana's seafood safety efforts are ramping up as the state continues to enhance its testing protocols for antibiotics in crawfish and shrimp. During a recent Appropriations Committee meeting, officials reported that 79 samples have been collected, with 59 tests completed, all returning negative results for chloramphenicol and related compounds. The ongoing testing aims to ensure the safety of seafood products and compliance with health standards.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is expanding its testing to include three additional antibiotics: nitrofurans, fluoroquinolones, and tetracycline. This decision follows a vote by the shrimp task force, reflecting a commitment to rigorous safety measures. Currently, 45 inspectors are actively monitoring seafood labeling and compliance, having inspected 425 packages across 55 locations. Notably, one-third of these locations had packages that did not meet compliance standards, leading to 12 stop orders and the removal of 554 non-compliant packages.

Despite the proactive measures, funding for testing remains a challenge, with an annual budget of approximately $131,000. This includes contributions from the Louisiana shrimp task force and other agencies. Each sample costs about $250 to test, and officials acknowledge that while they strive for thorough surveillance, the limited resources may impact the number of tests conducted.

The meeting underscored the importance of a robust testing system to incentivize compliance among seafood retailers. Officials expressed the need for federal support to enhance testing capabilities further. As Louisiana continues to prioritize seafood safety, the community can expect ongoing efforts to ensure that local seafood remains safe for consumption.