Relating to the marketing and sale of catfish and similar fish by food service establishments, food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors; providing administrative and civil penalties.
What changed between versions
Expanded applicability from only food service establishments to include food service suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors.
Added new definitions for 'Distributor', 'Food service supplier', 'Wholesale distributor', and 'Wholesaler' to clarify the roles covered by the bill.
Changed requirements for non-catfish products to mandate identification of the fish species and country of origin on packaging or containers for suppliers and distributors.
Added requirement for suppliers and distributors to conspicuously identify the species and country of origin of fish similar to catfish on product packaging or containers.
Replaced fixed penalty amounts based on sales volume with a system where penalties are determined based on the seriousness of the violation.
Added an affirmative defense allowing businesses to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate they genuinely believed the fish was catfish.
Added a new section clarifying that administrative and civil penalties are not cumulative for the same violation.