U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill this past week that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of imported seafood. According to the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA), which supports the bill, S. 190 increases inspection standards on foreign imported seafood, requires foreign exporters to meet U.S. safety standards, mandates increased inspection of foreign imported seafood, imposes penalties on foreign exporters who fail inspections and safety tests, and imposes stiff fines on those who attempt to mislabel their products. “Our industry has battled waves of unfairly traded shrimp from overseas for many years,” said ASPA Director David Veal. “Many foreign countries producing farm-raised shrimp may not use the same safety standards as required in the U.S., as such, unapproved chemicals and antibiotics may find their way if the product ships to the U.S. for consumption. This potentially puts consumers at risk.” Vitter’s bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
