In 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture established country of origin labeling (COOL) rules, which require seafood to bear a label that identifies where it is from and whether it was farm–raised or wild–caught. However, these rules do not cover all seafood.

All “processed” seafood is exempted from country of origin labeling. Processed seafood can be anything that has been altered in a substantial way, such as cooked, smoked or canned seafood, or that has been mixed with other ingredients. Examples include seafood soups, seafood medleys, fish blocks and breaded or salted seafood. Excluding processed seafood from COOL requirements is especially troubling, because this category of seafood product has a high risk of contamination. From 2003 to 2006, between 66 and 82 percent of imported seafood rejected at the border was processed. For more information, check out our report Import Alert.

Additionally, specialty seafood stores and all restaurants are exempt from COOL requirements. A significant portion of U.S. seafood consumption takes place outside of the home and therefore most consumers are not well informed about where their seafood comes from and whether it is wild caught or industrially farmed.

The USDA should expand country of origin labeling so that it includes processed seafood, and is required wherever seafood is sold. We consumers deserve this simple information that allows us to make educated decisions about what we eat.