Louisiana Restaurants Struggle to Follow Seafood Labeling Law

Hundreds of restaurants cited for failing to disclose imported shrimp and crawfish on menus

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A review of state enforcement data from 2025 found that hundreds of Louisiana restaurants have failed to comply with a state law requiring them to clearly indicate when they serve imported seafood. The Louisiana Department of Health cited 919 restaurants and fined 319 for seafood labeling violations last year, with the collective fines totaling around $113,000. The law aims to provide transparency for consumers, but many restaurant owners say they were unaware of the requirement or simply overlooked it.

Why it matters

The seafood labeling law is intended to give consumers accurate information about the origins of the seafood they are purchasing, allowing them to make informed choices. However, the widespread non-compliance raises concerns about the effectiveness of the law and the ability of state regulators to enforce it. The issue also highlights the challenges facing local fishermen who are trying to compete with cheaper imported seafood.

The details

The state law requires all food establishments using imported shrimp or crawfish to clearly indicate it on their menus or on 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. Inspectors check restaurant receipts and packaging to determine the seafood's country of origin, and they typically give restaurants about a week to correct a menu violation before issuing a fine.

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

The players

Louisiana Department of Health

The state agency responsible for enforcing the seafood labeling law and compiling data on violations.

Popeyes

A national fast-food chain that was cited for failing to label imported shrimp at three of its Louisiana locations.

Monjuni's Italian Restaurant

A Bossier City restaurant that was cited for using imported crawfish without labeling it as such on the menu.

Mandina's Restaurant

A Mandeville restaurant that was cited four times last year for violating the menu labeling law, which the owner blamed on absent-mindedness.

Southern Yacht Club

An exclusive members-only dining establishment in New Orleans that was cited for having unlabeled imported shrimp, among other violations.

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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 (stmarynow.com)

“The shrimp in question from the cooler was thrown out in front of the inspector and never served.”

— Ed Gaskell, Manager, Southern Yacht Club (stmarynow.com)

“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 (stmarynow.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The widespread non-compliance with Louisiana's seafood labeling law highlights the challenges of enforcing transparency in the restaurant industry. While the law aims to provide consumers with accurate information, many restaurant owners seem to be unaware of or indifferent to the requirement, raising questions about the effectiveness of the regulation and the ability of state regulators to ensure a level playing field for local seafood producers.