State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger's Island) on Monday voted to support the state's commercial seafood industry by requiring restaurants and grocery stores to disclose the country of origin of the seafood they sell to consumers. announced that it has pre-submitted a bill aimed at

“The seafood industry is vital to the economy of the entire Alabama Gulf Coast region, and as foreign-caught produce floods the U.S. market, we must do everything we can to support and protect it. It has to be,” Brown said. “Requiring disclosure of the country of origin of seafood will help consumers be better informed about the food they consume while promoting the use of products caught in Alabama.”

Under current state law, seafood suppliers are required to notify grocery stores and restaurants of the country of origin of their products, but those food service establishments are not required to pass the information on to consumers or customers.

Brown's bill would require grocery stores to clearly state the country of origin on seafood labels and on the boxes in which the products are displayed for sale.

Restaurants will be required to disclose the country of origin of the seafood they sell on the menu list or on prominent signage visible to diners and patrons.

Advertisements for seafood and dishes sold by the restaurant industry will also be required to include country of origin information.

Additionally, the same methods described above must be used to disclose whether a fish or shrimp product is farmed or wild-caught.

The State Health Officer would be assigned enforcement authority under the bill's provisions and could allocate civil penalties, including fines, to ensure compliance.

The 2024 regular legislative session is scheduled to convene on February 6th.