Hundreds of Louisiana Restaurants Cited, Fined for Not Disclosing Imported Seafood

State strengthens transparency laws, issues $113,000 in fines for menu labeling violations

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In 2025, the Louisiana Department of Health cited 919 restaurants and fined 319 for failing to properly label imported shrimp and crawfish on their menus, issuing a total of around $113,000 in penalties. The enforcement crackdown came after years of limited penalties and industry pressure, with state officials now requiring clear disclosure of imported seafood under state law.

Why it matters

The new enforcement efforts aim to increase transparency for consumers and create a level playing field for local Louisiana fishermen who are competing with significantly cheaper imported seafood. The state is also considering additional measures, such as a federal inspection fee on imported seafood, to further support the local seafood industry.

The details

Louisiana law requires restaurants to clearly indicate when they serve imported shrimp or crawfish, either on their menus or with a sign at the entrance. Violations can result in fines of up to $500 for a first offense, with penalties doubling for each subsequent violation up to $2,000. Health inspectors check restaurant receipts and packaging to verify the seafood's origin, and typically give offenders a week to correct menu violations before issuing fines.

  • In 2025, the Louisiana Department of Health cited 919 restaurants and fined 319 for seafood labeling violations.
  • The collective amount invoiced, including fines from January 2026, totaled about $113,000.

The players

Louisiana Department of Health

The state agency that enforces seafood labeling laws and issued the citations and fines to restaurants in 2025.

Keo Nguyen

A Louisiana shrimper who displays a sample of wild-caught Gulf of Mexico shrimp on his boat prior to bringing it to a seafood market.

Dave Williams

A fisheries scientist whose company, SeaD Consulting, has developed a rapid test kit to analyze the genetic makeup of raw or cooked seafood and expose restaurants serving imported seafood without proper labeling.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser

The Louisiana lieutenant governor who oversees the state Office of Tourism and the Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, and is lobbying for a new federal law to add a 10-cent-per-pound inspection fee on imported seafood.

Martial Voitier

The general manager of Mandina's Restaurant in New Orleans, who says the iconic eatery has always used local seafood regardless of price or availability.

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What they’re saying

“It was my fault. We just didn't have that [disclosure] on the menu, so we changed the menu.”

— Frank Marcello, Owner, Mandina's Restaurant in Mandeville

“The mislabeling law applies to all restaurants serving these products, ensuring a consistent standard and a level playing field for seafood transparency. … The point of the law in Louisiana is to inform consumers of what they are being served.”

— Dave Williams, Fisheries scientist, SeaD Consulting

“It doesn't offend me or bother me at all because we don't deal with any foreign products — period.”

— Martial Voitier, General Manager, Mandina's Restaurant in New Orleans

What’s next

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is considering building a website that lists every restaurant in Louisiana that serves local seafood products, and is also lobbying for the passage of a new imported seafood law at the federal level that would add a 10-cent-per-pound inspection fee on imported seafood.

The takeaway

The enforcement crackdown on restaurants failing to properly disclose imported seafood highlights the state's efforts to support its local seafood industry and provide transparency for consumers, though some restaurant owners cited the violations as simple oversights rather than intentional deception.