Marylanders — lawmakers included — take their crabs very seriously, which prompted a legislative proposal that would let residents know when their “Maryland style” crabcakes aren’t the real deal.

Some members of the seafood and restaurant industries fear that legislation introduced in the state House of Delegates proposing tighter regulations on seafood labeling could be impractical and costly for Maryland restaurants.

Currently, the Maryland Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as well as guidelines set in place by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibit mislabeling of seafood products.

But, in an effort to inform consumers about what they’re eating and where it’s coming from, Del. Eric Luedtke, D-Montgomery, has introduced House Bill 913 to propose even tighter regulations on the labeling of seafood products, such as the requirement that restaurants clearly display state of origin for all seafood and state or country of origin for crab products on a sign or menu.

The bill, however, has met many opponents throughout the seafood and restaurant industry, most of whom cite the potential costs and inconveniences the regulations could impose on restaurants.

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