A federal lawsuit filed by the South Carolina Shrimpers Association accuses 25 restaurants of falsely advertising imported shrimp as “local,” allegedly damaging the state's shrimping reputation and violating the Lanham Act and the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The Association claims the accused intentionally blurred the line between “local, high-quality” shrimp and “inferior, imported” products, harming both the industry and consumer trust. The suit, first filed June 13 and amended on July 3, seeks damages and other relief.
Some restaurants, like Mount Pleasant Seafood, defend their sourcing practices with vendor records. Others, such as Page’s Okra Grill and Mill Street Tavern, say they’re shocked to be named and assert they don’t misrepresent their shrimp as exclusively local.
The Shrimpers Association emphasised the importance of authenticity for both consumers and the state’s tourism-driven economy, calling for accountability and transparency in food sourcing.
Reference: July 24, 2025
https://people.com/25-south-carolina-restaurants-accused-shrimp-fraud-lawsuit-11766812