Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced the Let Americans Buy with Explicit Labeling (LABEL) Act, which aims to require all seafood sold at retail locations to display clear labeling of its country of origin and production method. The bill, S.3065, would mandate that this information appears prominently on packaging or display materials in a font size at least as large as the product name.

Currently, some imported seafood labels are printed in small fonts that can be easily missed by consumers. This situation has led to concerns that U.S. producers face disadvantages when competing against imported alternatives.

“American producers have been undercut by foreign producers dumping their low-quality seafood into our markets. There’s no better source for fish and seafood than Alabama ponds and the Gulf of America, and we want people to know where their food is coming from,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I’m proud to join Senator Hyde-Smith in this legislation that bolsters American seafood production, promotes safe seafood consumption, and protects our domestic producers.”

Senator Hyde-Smith added: “Mississippi’s seafood industry is already battling a flood of cheap imports, much of which don’t meet the same safety standards our domestic producers uphold. This bill would ensure American consumers know exactly where their seafood comes from, while giving our domestic fishermen and producers a fair chance to compete.”

Similar laws have already been enacted in Alabama and Mississippi requiring clear labeling for all seafood sold within those states. In 2024, Alabama passed a law mandating restaurants and retailers label whether seafood is wild caught or farm raised, as well as indicate if it is imported or domestically produced.

The LABEL Act would apply these standards nationwide but would only cover retail establishments rather than restaurants.

The legislation has received support from several industry groups including the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA), Louisiana Shrimp Association, Southern Shrimp Alliance, and Organized Seafood Association of Alabama.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on multiple committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP); and Aging.