New law requires S.C. restaurants to disclose imported shrimp

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A new state law set to take effect Oct. 28 will require restaurants to disclose when they serve imported shrimp.The law follows last year’s “shrimp gate” scandal, in which investigators found some Lowcountry restaurants serving imported shrimp while advertising it as locally caught.Under the law, restaurants that serve imported shrimp must post a notice on their menu.Supporters say the law protects customers and holds restaurants accountable.“We want to make sure in this case they are getting wild-caught SC shrimp, particularly when they go to a restaurant and are being told they are local; that’s the most pressing fact,” Bryan Jones, vice president of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, said.Restaurants that violate the law will receive a warning for a first offense.After that, fines range from $100 to $5,000 a day until the restaurant complies.