FTC Warns Major Seafood Restaurants Over Misleading 'Locally Caught' Claims

The FTC has issued a reminder to top seafood chains to ensure all marketing accurately reflects the true origin of their seafood.

The FTC sent letters to the 10 highest-grossing seafood restaurants, including Red Lobster and Long John Silver's, warning against false advertising about locally caught seafood.
The U.S. imports about 80% of its seafood, and over 90% of shrimp imports come from countries like India, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
New FTC guidance clarifies that any form of communication implying local seafood, including menu descriptions and social media posts, must be truthful.
The Southern Shrimp Alliance has advocated for stronger FTC enforcement due to the negative impact of misleading claims on small and mid-size domestic shrimp businesses.
FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya emphasized the need for accurate consumer communication, following complaints from the domestic fishing industry.