Restaurants Get 1-2 Punch

Seafood restaurants in Alabama are getting ready for the one-two punch from the new fish labeling laws.

On August 1 2009, restaurants will be required to identify whether catfish is domestic or imported. The information will help consumers know what's really on their plates.

In January 2010, the Seafood Labeling Law takes effect. It will require restaurants to add a sign or change menus letting customers know they have a right to ask where that product comes from.

Oysterella's Seafood Restaurant GM Jeremy Weaver says the new laws will be tough for business. Weaver tells us that the cost of selling domestic fish is higher than imports and that cost will have to be passed on to consumers. "It's kinda been put on our plate as here it is. Now you've got restaurants scrambling on how is this gonna work and what is the backlash when I'm not serving something that's a domestic product."

The state health department will be the agency enforcing the new laws. The penalties range from a warning and up to a 1-thousand dollar fine.

If you want to read the catfish labeling law, click here.

If you would like to check out the seafood labeling law, click here.