Every Texas Roadhouse location in South Carolina must update its menu to comply with a new state law focused on ingredient transparency. The Truth in Shrimp Labeling Act, officially House Bill 4248, was signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster on June 30. The legislation aims to increase clarity for diners regarding the origins of seafood and to support the local commercial shrimping industry.
Under the new rules, food service establishments in the state must explicitly disclose whether the shrimp served is locally caught or imported. Restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other businesses selling ready-to-eat food are required to post signage near their entrances and include disclaimers on their menus. The law affects a wide range of operators, from independent eateries to major chains such as Red Lobster and The Cheesecake Factory.
The legislation follows an investigation known as "Shrimpgate," which revealed significant discrepancies in how restaurants labeled their seafood. Last summer, a consulting firm tested 44 South Carolina restaurants and found that only four were serving local, wild-caught shrimp. The remaining 90% used imported or farm-raised shrimp, with some allegedly advertising the product as locally sourced. A second round of testing in February showed some improvement, but approximately 77% of the establishments tested still used imported shrimp.
Charles Arena, executive chef and co-owner of Acme Lowcountry Kitchen, told local outlet WCSC that his restaurant has prioritized supporting local shrimpers for years. He noted that using local seafood involves higher costs and additional labor, particularly because domestic shrimp often arrives shell-on, requiring staff to peel it. Arena believes the new transparency law will help diners understand why local shrimp may cost more and will give local shrimpers a fairer chance to compete against cheaper foreign products.
Restaurants have 120 days from the signing of the bill to comply with the new requirements, setting a deadline of October 28. Food establishments that violate the law will receive a warning and have three days to correct the issue. Repeat offenders may face fines between $100 and $5,000, issued by the Department of Agriculture.
