Restaurants accused of mislabeling imported shrimp

The low country is known for its fresh seafood, but now some South Carolina restaurants are accused of serving imported shrimp but labeling it as American wild-caught shrimp.

“Don’t call it our local wild-caught shrimp if you’re serving imported shrimp,” SC Shrimpers Association’s Bryan Jones said.

Shrimpers continue to be frustrated by what they describe as a lack of transparency. Seed Consulting retested 22 restaurants on Feb. 10 and 11 as part of a multi-state investigation into shrimp mislabeling. 

Some consumers in Charleston say they’re shocked by the deception on their plate.

“I think that when you’re eating at a restaurant, you have an expectation of transparency and getting what you pay for,” one customers said.

Last year, Seed Consulting tested 44 restaurants and found only 9% were serving authentic American wild-caught shrimp. This year, five of the 22 restaurants tested, or 23%, were serving American wild-caught shrimp.

“I don’t think it’s great for the consumer and I also don’t think that it’s great for the local fishermen who probably rely on the support and the business of the local restaurants,” one customer said.

Out of the 17 of 22 restaurants tested who weren’t serving American wild-caught shrimp, nine of them verbally claimed their shrimp was American wild-caught when genetic testing proved it was not.

“Now, the whole issue behind Shrimpgate is we had all these consumers that are doing the right thing. They’re asking that before ordering, but are they getting the truth?” Jones said.

Industry advocates are now pushing for menu labeling laws in South Carolina as researchers say stronger disclosure laws would help consumers make informed choices and support American shrimpers.