Investigation finds over half of Alexandria restaurants in Louisiana serving imported shrimp

(The Center Square) − More than half of shrimp dishes served in Alexandria and nearby Pineville may not be the real Gulf Coast deal, according to a recent investigation funded by the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force.

Using rapid genetic testing technology, researchers with SEAD Consulting found that just 11 of 24 restaurants surveyed on June 3–4 were serving authentic Gulf shrimp. Thirteen restaurants — or 54% — were found to be selling imported or mislabeled shrimp. Of those, seven disclosed the imports, but six were labeled as local despite not being sourced from the Gulf, a potential violation of state menu labeling laws.

"This is about trust," said Rodney Olander, chair of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force. "Alexandria is a proud river city with deep Louisiana roots, and its people deserve to know when they’re getting wild-caught Gulf shrimp — or when they’re being served imported farm-raised substitutes passed off as local."

The findings show Alexandria’s shrimp mislabeling rate is roughly in line with other inland cities. Baton Rouge had a 30% inauthenticity rate, while New Orleans fared better, with only 13% of restaurants caught mislabeling.

The tests were conducted using SEAD’s RIGHTTest™, a field-based genetic tool capable of identifying shrimp species in about two hours. SEAD founder Dave Williams said the technology is already helping to uncover seafood fraud along the Gulf and East Coast.

"These restaurants [serving real Gulf shrimp] are doing it right," Williams said. "They’re supporting the local economy and giving customers what they’re paying for — the flavor of Louisiana, from the docks to the table."

The Shrimp Task Force says supporting restaurants that serve wild-caught Gulf shrimp is essential to sustaining Louisiana’s fishing communities and the livelihoods of the state’s watermen.