Seafood origin must be disclosed at next year's festival

After reports that four of five vendors at this year’s Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival sold shrimp from overseas, the festival’s leadership said Tuesday that next year’s vendors will be required to label seafood with the country of origin in compliance with a new law.

The festival organization is also putting together a list of local shrimpers and others in the seafood industry who distribute locally harvested products “to encourage our food establishment vendors to purchase and sell Louisiana seafood,” according to a press release.

The Louisiana Illuminator reported Monday that Louisiana shrimpers invited Sea D Consulting to the 2024 Shrimp & Petroleum Festival to try out a new genetic test to determine whether vendors were selling local products.

The Illuminator quoted Sea D owner Dave Williams as saying he bought boiled shrimp from five of the vendors at the Aug. 29-Sept. 2 festival. He was assured by each vendor that the shrimp came from Louisiana waters, the Illuminator said.

But the genetic testing showed that four of the five servings were composed of foreign and farm-raised shrimp, probably from India or Ecuador, the Illuminator said. Two of those vendors were restaurants and two specialize in sales at festivals. The Illuminator did not name the four.

Only the shrimp from WoodDreaux’s Cajun Cuisine came from the Gulf.

Tuesday’s festival press release noted that a new law that takes effect Jan. 1 requires establishments to clearly display the country of origin of seafood sold to the public.

“The Festival will require all food establishment vendors registered and renting booth spaces with us to comply with the next law, including its public disclosure requirements, effective with the 90th LASPF held Aug 28-Sept. 1, 2025,” the press release said.

A local business, shrimper, or Louisiana seafood harvester or distributor can be added to the festival’s vendor list by emailing info@shrimpandpetroleum.org.

“As always, we will continue to support and promote our shrimping and seafood industries as we plan to celebrate our 90th Festival in 2025,” the press release said.