To reassure consumers about the safety and origin of seafood, a Mobile County lawmaker in Alabama, USA, has pre-filed a bill that would provide funding for inspecting imported fish, shrimp, and crab. House Bill 1, introduced by Rep. Chip Brown, would establish the Imported Seafood Safety Fund to ensure the quality and safety of seafood entering the state.

Funding for Inspectors

The bill proposes a USD 200 Imported Seafood Safety fee for those who sell, trade, or process imported seafood. The revenue generated would be deposited into the Imported Seafood Safety Fund, which would be used by the Alabama Department of Public Health to conduct sampling, analysis, testing, and monitoring of raw foreign seafood.

Rep. Brown emphasized the importance of addressing the lack of transparency in the chain of custody for imported seafood. “We don’t always know exactly where that seafood has come from, who handles it, that sort of thing,” he said. The department would focus on tracing the origin of imported seafood, as well as testing for bacteria and other harmful substances.

Safety and Economic Factors

The bill aims to level the playing field for local seafood industries while ensuring consumer safety and informed purchasing decisions. By inspecting imported seafood, consumers can have confidence in their purchases and support local businesses that adhere to similar standards.

In his words, “By inspecting our seafood that comes from other parts of the world, we can hopefully make sure that the public stays safe. My solution to it is just to tell people to buy Alabama seafood.” The bill is expected to be debated and voted on in the upcoming legislative session.