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3w ago

Charleston Restaurants Deny Misleading Shrimp Claims After Lawsuit Names 25 Defendants

Defendants say their menus never claimed local shrimp, relying on imports to meet high volume requirements.

View of shrimps caught at a production pond in a shrimp farm, in Taura, Ecuador, on July 31, 2023.
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Overview

  • The South Carolina Shrimpers Association amended its federal lawsuit on July 2 to add 25 Charleston-area restaurants accused of marketing imported shrimp as local wild-caught.
  • The complaint alleges false and misleading representations in violation of the federal Lanham Act and South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
  • Named establishments including Tavern & Table and Page’s Okra Grill have denied making local shrimp claims, emphasizing clear menu language and mixed sourcing from U.S. and international suppliers.
  • SeaD Consulting tests commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance found 40 out of 44 sampled eateries mislabeling imported shrimp as local, underlining challenges in seafood supply chain transparency.
  • Restaurants are required to file formal responses in the District of South Carolina, where the association seeks damages and injunctive relief to protect the region’s shrimping economy.