Charles Boustany
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-Southwest Louisiana), in a letter to Taco Bell® President and Chief Concept Officer Greg Creed, called on the fast-food chain to use Gulf of Mexico shrimp in their current marketing campaign.

“As you know, today marks the beginning of the Lenten season – a time when seafood is consumed in large quantities across the United States,” Boustany said in the letter. “I want to alert you that Gulf shrimp has a rich tradition as being of the highest quality in the world, with Louisiana’s coast alone producing nearly one-third of the domestic seafood consumed in the lower forty-eight states.”
 
Citing studies by federal, state and local agencies, and university scientists which demonstrate the safety of Louisiana seafood, Boustany called for the use of Gulf Coast shrimp in a recently launched ad campaign by Taco Bell® which currently promotes “Pacific shrimp”.
Coastal representatives agreed with Boustany. “In blind taste tests, consumers chose Gulf shrimp 85% of the time over other products sold in the United States,” said Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. “Gulf Seafood is plentiful and sustainable, and its producers work hard to provide a nourishing, fresh product while protecting species for future generations. It makes sense that Taco Bell should not only consider but specify Gulf shrimp in all its recipes. It would show the country that Taco Bell is here to help the Gulf fisherman continue his efforts in this time of need.”
Congressman Boustany is a leading voice on coastal issues in Louisiana, and has worked tirelessly to restore jobs throughout the Gulf Coast in the wake of the BP tragedy and moratorium.

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