"Anything that cuts into imports," said Lonnie Golden of Fripp Point Seafood, president of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association. "That would be the best thing that could happen for our industry."
The FDA announced Thursday that several types of Chinese seafood products will be stopped at the U.S. border until it's proven that the farm-raised shrimp, catfish, basa fish and dace (a carp-like fish) are not contaminated.
The agency said there's no immediate health risk, but the announcement comes on the heels of several scandals involving tainted products from China, including pet food ingredients blamed for killing dozens of dogs and cats worldwide, toothpaste manufactured with an ingredient used in antifreeze, and children's toys decorated with lead paint.
"To me, it (the FDA action) tells us that our government is doing their job," said Eddie Gordon, executive director of Charleston-based American Wild Shrimp Inc. "We think it's good news.
"It also points out to consumers that there is a difference in shrimp, and hopefully they will look for the Wild American label," Gordon said.
The Wild American Shrimp label is a government-funded certification program for wild-caught domestic shrimp. Some local shrimpers, but not all, participate in the program, which requires quality standards training.
Domestic shrimpers have complained for years that low-priced shrimp imports from Asia are hurting their business. Imports now account for 90 percent of the shrimp sold in the United States, and Chinese-farmed shrimp accounts for slightly less than 10 percent of the U.S. supply.
Sample testing in 2006-07 "repeatedly found that farm-raised seafood imported from China were contaminated with antimicrobial agents that are not approved for use in the United States," the FDA said.
Several of the agents are suspected carcinogens.
"When they (consumers) see it on the news, that's going to get their attention," Golden said. "We hope it will make a difference."
The National Fisheries Institute, which represents importers of foreign seafood, among others, called the FDA action "an important step ... to ensure that nations exporting to the U.S. follow our country's food safety regulations."
The organization said it does not expect the detention and testing of Chinese imports to significantly disrupt the nation's seafood supply.
The FDA describes the new policy as a precautionary measure.
"The FDA believes that risk to U.S. consumers due to these drugs in seafood products from China is minimal, and does not represent an immediate risk to public health," the agency said in a fact sheet posted on its Web site.
There have been no reports of illnesses, and the agency said that if people already have some of the Chinese seafood products in their freezers, there's no reason to throw them away.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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