Congressman Thompson Calls For Catfish Labels

Statement

CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON CALLS FOR CATFISH LABELS

Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulation of foreign- and domestic-raised catfish sold in U.S. restaurants:

"People think of catfish as American fish and naturally assume that is what they receive when they order it from menus. It is an outrage that Americans who legitimately order "catfish" or "farm-raised catfish" in restaurants are unknowingly eating imported catfish. Although U.S. supermarkets are required by the federal government to state the country of origin on seafood packaging, restaurants are not obligated to do so.

"As a matter of public safety and consumer choice, Congress should require that imported catfish be labeled as such on restaurant menus. Even as we take measures to improve the inspection and identification of imported catfish, as a matter of competitive fairness, we should also enhance inspections of U.S. farm-raised catfish. Presently, the Department of Commerce provides oversight of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry. Congress should give that responsibility to the Department of Agriculture, which has a world-wide reputation for rigorous and effective food inspections and regulation.

"Whether shopping in supermarkets or sitting in restaurants, Americans have a right to know where the catfish they buy comes from. They should be given the opportunity to choose between U.S. farm-raised catfish and imports. Requiring country of origin labeling for catfish served in restaurants and shifting oversight responsibility of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry to the USDA will ensure Americans have a safe choice when they order catfish."

Source