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Committee approves bill to require restaurants to label shrimp origin
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Summary
A legislative committee approved House Bill 4248, which would require restaurants to disclose the origin of shrimp they serve and place enforcement with the Department of Agriculture; the committee voted 12-1 with three members absent.
A legislative committee voted to advance House Bill 4248, a proposal that would require restaurants to label the geographic origin of shrimp they serve. Representative Hadden, who presented the measure, said the Department of Agriculture would monitor compliance and that the bill is intended to protect local shrimpers from misleading advertising.
"This bill would require restaurants to label where their shrimp comes from," Representative Hadden said, adding that news reports and DNA tests showed items advertised as local were often imported. Committee members pressed for clarity on which vendors would be covered and how enforcement would work. Representative McDaniel asked whether food trucks and small rural vendors would be subject to the rule; the chair and proponents said the Department of Agriculture inspects restaurants and inspected mobile vendors or commissaries would be included.
Committee members also discussed the role of wholesalers and labeling in retail grocery stores. After debate, a motion to pass HB 4248 was seconded and the committee called the roll. The chair announced the measure passed the committee 12-1 with three members not present and that it will move to the full House for further consideration.
The bill now heads to the House floor; the Department of Agriculture would be responsible for implementation and enforcement if the measure becomes law.
