This bill prohibits importing shrimp from countries lacking FDA-equivalent food inspection systems or inspection agreements with the FDA. Countries must have uniform enforcement, laws covering shrimp raising and transport conditions, and adequate staffing. Non-compliant shrimp would be deemed adulterated.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill prohibits importing shrimp from countries lacking FDA-equivalent food inspection systems or inspection agreements with the FDA. Countries must have uniform enforcement, laws covering shrimp raising and transport conditions, and adequate staffing. Non-compliant shrimp would be deemed adulterated.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Safer Shrimp Imports Act</strong></p><p>This bill prohibits the importation of shrimp from countries that do not have food inspection systems equivalent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection system for shrimp, or that have not entered into an agreement with the FDA facilitating U.S. inspection of their food facilities. </p><p>Specifically, the FDA must seek to enter into arrangements and agreements with the government of each country with at least one facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds shrimp for consumption in the United States to facilitate FDA inspection of such facilities. </p><p>The bill prohibits the importation of shrimp that is manufactured, processed, packed, or held in a country (1) that has not entered into an inspection arrangement or agreement with the FDA, or (2) the food inspection system of which is not equivalent to the FDA’s food inspection system with respect to shrimp. To be considered equivalent, a country’s food inspection system must include staffing that ensures uniform enforcement of applicable laws and regulations, and must provide for the enforcement of laws and regulations that address conditions under which shrimp are raised and transported to processing facilities. </p><p>Further, shrimp imported or offered for import into the United States that have been manufactured, processed, packed, or held in a country that is not compliant with these requirements are deemed adulterated, and thus may not be introduced into interstate commerce. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Prohibits shrimp imports from countries without FDA-equivalent inspections
Requires FDA inspection arrangements with exporting countries
Mandates enforcement of shrimp raising and transport standards
Deems non-compliant imported shrimp as adulterated
Aims to protect U.S. consumers from unsafe seafood
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Consumers would have greater assurance that imported shrimp meets U.S. safety standards. Countries exporting shrimp to the U.S. would face pressure to upgrade their food safety systems or lose market access.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
667, 119th Congress (2025). "Safer Shrimp Imports Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-667
