Tuberville, Hyde-Smith introduce bill to require clear seafood labeling

WASHINGTON – Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced legislation to ensure all seafood, whether wild-caught or farm raised, is clearly labeled with its country of origin and method of production at its retail location.

The Let Americans Buy with Explicit Labeling (LABEL) Act would require country of origin and production information to appear prominently on packaging or display materials, in a font size at least as large as the product name, so consumers are more likely to see and understand it when shopping, the senators said in a news release.

“American producers have been undercut by foreign producers dumping their low-quality seafood into our markets. There’s no better source for fish and seafood than Alabama ponds and the Gulf of America, and we want people to know where their food is coming from,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn).  “I’m proud to join Senator Hyde-Smith in this legislation that bolsters American seafood production, promotes safe seafood consumption, and protects our domestic producers.”

Currently, some imported seafood labels are printed so small they are easily overlooked by consumers, putting U.S. producers at a disadvantage when competing with imported alternatives, the news release said.

“Mississippi’s seafood industry is already battling a flood of cheap imports, much of which don’t meet the same safety standards our domestic producers uphold,” Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) said. “This bill would ensure American consumers know exactly where their seafood comes from, while giving our domestic fishermen and producers a fair chance to compete.”

Alabama and Mississippi have already passed similar legislation requiring clear labeling of all seafood sold in their states. In 2024 in Alabama, a state law passed that designated all restaurants and retailers designate through labeling whether seafood is wild caught or farm raised, and whether it’s imported or domestically produced.

The LABEL Act would bring a similar standard to consumers nationwide. This legislation would not address restaurants — just retail establishments.

Specifically, the LABEL Act would:

• Require the country-of-origin label for fish and shellfish, including shrimp and crawfish, to be printed in a font size at least as large as the product name on packaging, displays, or bins.
• Take effect 180 days after adoption, giving processors, distributors, and retailers time to update their packaging.

The LABEL Act is supported by the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA), Louisiana Shrimp Association, Southern Shrimp Alliance, and Organized Seafood Association of Alabama.