The Health and Economic Dangers of Imported Shrimp

In coastal South Carolina, as in other fishing areas throughout the U.S., it is becoming more difficult to sell local seafood and shellfish to restaurants, grocery stores and consumers because of the huge influx of imported seafood. Approximately 80% of the seafood bought in the U.S. is imported. Because it is exported to the U.S. in such great volume it can be sold at inexpensive prices that drive the public away from local U.S. sources and drive their price up even more.

Price alone is not the only cause for concern though. Although it may seem as if buying the less expensive shrimp and seafood is a real bargain, it may come at the cost of your health. Most of the imported shrimp comes from places such as Thailand, China, the Gulf of Mexico and other Asian countries. Their health guidelines are not as strict as the U.S. federal guidelines for food safety.

One example is the high amounts of chloramphenicol in shrimp and other seafood products. This is a potent antibiotic used in their feed and is very likely to cause cancer. The U.S. does not allow this chemical in our feed. In 2002 they began testing imported seafood for chloramphenicol and so far 10% of their samples have been tainted with it. This is pretty high considering that they only tested about 2% of imports.

There are other drug guideline and health issues relating to imported seafood and other food products. This is exemplified in the recent bans of Chinese imports into the U.S. because of toxic products and dangerous levels of drugs and toxins in food.

While it can be quite tempting to pick up a few pounds of shrimp or fish at a bargain basement price, it's also important to consider the other consequences to ourselves, our families, our health, and the health of our own seafood and shrimping industry right here in the U.S. While Americans love being able to purchase whatever they want, whenever they want, they're also learning that the best and healthiest way to eat is seasonally, freshly, and locally.

The U.S. fishing and shrimping industry can't compete or survive unless we take a firm stand and support them. It's always been considered best to enjoy quality over quantity, and I believe in this case it just might save our health, and the health of way of life in this country. As the bumper sticker says, "Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Imported Shrimp."