Southern Shrimp Alliance urging Congress to pass legislation that would lead to the destruction contaminated imported food

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Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation to give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated food imports, like seafood, eliminating the option to re-export rejected goods. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the bill closes a loophole that allows importers to “port shop” rejected products back into the U.S.

“Because we only test 0.1-percent of our shrimp and seafood for banned antibiotics, that means there’s a good chance that product can move just down to a different port and reenter our country.”

Many shipments contaminated with banned drugs or pathogens are simply returned to exporters. This practice undermines American producers who follow strict safety standards and poses serious health risks. Long says we are losing a sustainable industry.

“One that produces the best shrimp.  Something that is well-regulated under U.S. policy.  We don’t have to deal with forced labor.  We don’t have to deal with banned antibiotics.”

The bipartisan bill aims to protect consumers, uphold food safety, and support Louisiana’s seafood industry by ensuring contaminated products don’t re-enter U.S. markets.

“Even if you’re a consumer who does not enjoy or consume shrimp, you should be concerned about banned antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture.  Because what it’s doing is taking our most powerful antibiotics, and we’re creating super bugs.”