COLUMBIA, S.C — South Carolina restaurants that serve imported shrimp will be required to disclose that on their menus beginning Oct. 28, under a new state law passed in response to the 2025 “Shrimp Gate” scandal.
Restaurants serving imported shrimp must post the following notice on their menus: “Some items served at this establishment may contain foreign imported shrimp. Ask for more information.”
The law stems from an investigation that found some Lowcountry restaurants were advertising locally caught shrimp while serving imported product instead.
McClellanville shrimper Bryan Jones, vice president of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, said customers deserve to know what they are eating — especially when paying a premium.
“Particularly when they’re looking at shrimp boats there’s this assumption that what they’re eating is authentic South Carolina shrimp, and I think they deserve — particularly when they’re paying a premium — to know what they’re getting,” Jones said.
The South Carolina Restaurants and Lodging Association reports mixed reaction from its members. Some welcome the transparency, while others have expressed concern about added regulation and the fines that accompany violations.
Restaurants that violate the law will receive a warning on the first offense. Subsequent violations carry fines ranging from $100 to $5,000 per day until the restaurant comes into compliance.
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