Restaurants do not have to disclose where they get their shrimp, but grocery stores do. We have not bought imported frozen shrimp for years, since we first noticed the tiny print on the bags.
You will find that some brands will tell you where their boxed frozen shrimp meals come from. Others, not so much. Avoid the "Sea Pak" brand at all costs. None of their shrimp are American. This trade in inferior foods for profit is truly shameful! Are our Congress twerps asleep at the wheel, or do they just love money more than their constituents? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
Thanks for the info! I admit I've bought them; never again.
I'll stick to the locally grown and harvested Native American (or Canadian 1st Nations) products and what the Scandinavian descent fishing fleet brings in as they have for generations here in the Pac NW.
Great information Jim. When shopping for shrimp, we always try to find them sourced from the U.S...it is really hard and most times we have to settle for the "least egregious" (of those offered) and try to avoid ANY foreign farm raised shrimp. We have lived up and down the east coast and many, many places along the length of the gulf coast, we know the good stuff is out there! We need a campaign to Buy Only American Shrimp...they taste great, they support our own shrimpers, and since they aren't imported, NO tariffs (as of today anyway).
A recent audit of restaurants advertising and serving local shrimp was completed. Bubba-Gump initially confirmed local sources then later denied after testing, sad face. Commander's Palace scored an honest menu. Integrity is a quality you uphold when no one is looking.
Question: Where do all the shrimp go that are pulled from our waters? When I go to a seafood seller, I’m buying local shrimp and fish, am I not? Admittedly, I have the good fortune to live on the Gulf of Mexico (not the Gulf of America), and shrimp and fish are plentiful, but I can’t see how it’s profitable to farm-raise fish in Viet Nam, and ship it here to market. What am I missing?
I have for years not bought shrimp (or crab) from Indonesia, Thailand, or Malaisa because they all use what amounts to slave labor--children and women who are treated horribly, paid nothing, and not allowed to leave. Any shrimp that is "EZ peel" is farmed, and from Southeast Asia, no matter what the supermarket clerk tells you. Wild caught shrimp can come from the Gulf OF MEXICO, from Chili, or Argentina, but if it is not wild caught, it is subject to filthy conditions in shrimp farms. I am fortunate to have an actual fish vendor near me who values quality as much as she values profit, and I am able to get Georgia wild caught shrimp from her. Please be aware that if you order shrimp in a restaurant, even a high-end place, it is almost certainly Southeast Asian and not something you want to eat or support.
Thanks, Edith. We confess to a weakness for shrimp, and have been eating it at area restaurants (though NOT Red Lobster). That is going to stop right now. And a general thank you to every Lowdowner who has written "Gulf of MEXICO" !
I learned about the wonderful shrimp harvested from the Gulf of MEXICO years ago on a cruise ship from our tablemates from Baton Rouge. As the next post says grocery products have to tell where the shrimp and all the other seafood is from. I never bought another shrimp from anywhere BUT the US. They are more expensive but worth it.
They offer cheap shrimp because they have slave labor. these countries have boats out 24/7 - 365 days a year and keep slaves working on them. This allows our restaurants to offer endless shrimp bowls. I gave up shrimp when my naturopath told me that they are the cockroaches of the ocean. But really does anyone need a bowl of shrimp? Petition the restaurants and be willing to pay for American harvested shrimp. The whole world would be a better place.
Sadly, Hightower’s third paragraph, with just a few word changes, can apply to most food and non-food products that we get from outside the US. I’m not a political scientist or economist, but I imagine that the “forced labor” are just ordinary people who were kicked off their lands and waters by first world economic predators and the few local officials who are in cahoots. Of course, the driving force is our Western entitlement to cheap convenient stuff.
Thanks, Jim. I had no idea we imported that much shrimp! Just wondering how the "dead zone," where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of MEXICO, affects US shrimp farmers. It must have some effect, but I really have no idea.
There are lots of wonderful Gulf shrimp from Texas and Florida. I agree that the area around New Orleans probably isn't the healthiest environment for any sea creature. They have great Mudbugs, though!
Restaurants do not have to disclose where they get their shrimp, but grocery stores do. We have not bought imported frozen shrimp for years, since we first noticed the tiny print on the bags.
You will find that some brands will tell you where their boxed frozen shrimp meals come from. Others, not so much. Avoid the "Sea Pak" brand at all costs. None of their shrimp are American. This trade in inferior foods for profit is truly shameful! Are our Congress twerps asleep at the wheel, or do they just love money more than their constituents? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
You know they love money more than their constituents! Next question?
Next question: What is the best way to get rid of them?
How about sending them unrefrigerated shrimp by mail? They'll soon be out of office...at least for awhile.
Wish we had a laugh emoji here--you are SO right.
Great idea!
Feed them sea pack shrimp, it didn't go well for my 1962 cast iron stomach.
Thanks for the info! I admit I've bought them; never again.
I'll stick to the locally grown and harvested Native American (or Canadian 1st Nations) products and what the Scandinavian descent fishing fleet brings in as they have for generations here in the Pac NW.
Great information Jim. When shopping for shrimp, we always try to find them sourced from the U.S...it is really hard and most times we have to settle for the "least egregious" (of those offered) and try to avoid ANY foreign farm raised shrimp. We have lived up and down the east coast and many, many places along the length of the gulf coast, we know the good stuff is out there! We need a campaign to Buy Only American Shrimp...they taste great, they support our own shrimpers, and since they aren't imported, NO tariffs (as of today anyway).
Always be wary of buying food from countries where the local term for "food inspector" translates to "bribe this person."
That applies here, as well.
A recent audit of restaurants advertising and serving local shrimp was completed. Bubba-Gump initially confirmed local sources then later denied after testing, sad face. Commander's Palace scored an honest menu. Integrity is a quality you uphold when no one is looking.
Question: Where do all the shrimp go that are pulled from our waters? When I go to a seafood seller, I’m buying local shrimp and fish, am I not? Admittedly, I have the good fortune to live on the Gulf of Mexico (not the Gulf of America), and shrimp and fish are plentiful, but I can’t see how it’s profitable to farm-raise fish in Viet Nam, and ship it here to market. What am I missing?
You need to be alert 24/7 to countermand these swindlers because be sure they are 24/7 working out ways to swell their booty bags. 💰💰💰
I have for years not bought shrimp (or crab) from Indonesia, Thailand, or Malaisa because they all use what amounts to slave labor--children and women who are treated horribly, paid nothing, and not allowed to leave. Any shrimp that is "EZ peel" is farmed, and from Southeast Asia, no matter what the supermarket clerk tells you. Wild caught shrimp can come from the Gulf OF MEXICO, from Chili, or Argentina, but if it is not wild caught, it is subject to filthy conditions in shrimp farms. I am fortunate to have an actual fish vendor near me who values quality as much as she values profit, and I am able to get Georgia wild caught shrimp from her. Please be aware that if you order shrimp in a restaurant, even a high-end place, it is almost certainly Southeast Asian and not something you want to eat or support.
Thanks, Edith. We confess to a weakness for shrimp, and have been eating it at area restaurants (though NOT Red Lobster). That is going to stop right now. And a general thank you to every Lowdowner who has written "Gulf of MEXICO" !
CORPORATE RIPOFF
I learned about the wonderful shrimp harvested from the Gulf of MEXICO years ago on a cruise ship from our tablemates from Baton Rouge. As the next post says grocery products have to tell where the shrimp and all the other seafood is from. I never bought another shrimp from anywhere BUT the US. They are more expensive but worth it.
They offer cheap shrimp because they have slave labor. these countries have boats out 24/7 - 365 days a year and keep slaves working on them. This allows our restaurants to offer endless shrimp bowls. I gave up shrimp when my naturopath told me that they are the cockroaches of the ocean. But really does anyone need a bowl of shrimp? Petition the restaurants and be willing to pay for American harvested shrimp. The whole world would be a better place.
Sadly, Hightower’s third paragraph, with just a few word changes, can apply to most food and non-food products that we get from outside the US. I’m not a political scientist or economist, but I imagine that the “forced labor” are just ordinary people who were kicked off their lands and waters by first world economic predators and the few local officials who are in cahoots. Of course, the driving force is our Western entitlement to cheap convenient stuff.
Love your comment, hate shrimp. They make me throw up. Mom could not tolerate them either. Rich S, Octogenarian and Contrarian
Gulf of Mexico shrimp always wins a taste contest.
This is the Trumpolini era:So believe the worst of our entrepreneurs who'll sell us all out and lie about it....our peerless misleader's trademark.
Thanks, Jim. I had no idea we imported that much shrimp! Just wondering how the "dead zone," where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of MEXICO, affects US shrimp farmers. It must have some effect, but I really have no idea.
There are lots of wonderful Gulf shrimp from Texas and Florida. I agree that the area around New Orleans probably isn't the healthiest environment for any sea creature. They have great Mudbugs, though!
wow the things we don't know thanks Jim for bringing to my attention keep up the great work