Mississippi Seafood Distributor Pleads Guilty to Fraud

Quality Poultry and Seafood Inc. (QPS), the largest seafood distributor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and two of its managers have pleaded guilty to a scheme that misbranded imported seafood as premium local varieties. The fraudulent activity, which lasted nearly 20 years from 2002 to 2019, involved selling lower-quality frozen fish from overseas as local products to restaurants and retail customers, harming local fishermen and competitors. As part of the plea agreement, QPS will pay $1 million in forfeitures and a $150,000 criminal fine. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee highlighted that such mislabeling depresses the market value of authentic Gulf Coast seafood. The case also prompted Louisiana to enact stricter laws to protect its seafood industry and ensure transparency in labeling. This scandal underscores the significant impact of fraudulent practices on local economies and consumer trust in the seafood supply chain.