Dozens of S.C. eateries falsely tout local shrimp, DNA tests show

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Testing on shrimp served at dozens of Charleston-area restaurants revealed that most falsely promoted serving locally caught shrimp, a new report states.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance commissioned SeaD Consulting to collect samples of shrimp dishes from 44 Charleston-area restaurants between May 19 and May 22.

Aiken leaders choose developer to revive downtown hotel

The Aiken City Council decided to enter negotiations with the Oliver Group to revitalize and revive the dormant and decaying Hotel Aiken.

Genetic testing revealed that 40 of the restaurants sampled were “misleading customers in their branding, menu descriptions or proximity to local docks, with 25 found to be outright fraudulent,” SeaD Consulting said.

The report found that even some restaurants perched on the water overlooking shrimp boats were serving imported shrimp.

Georgia invaded by stinging ants that can send you to hospital

A venomous ant species known as the Asian needle ant is becoming more common in Georgia, and experts are warning residents to be on alert.

Officials are warning about the invasive Asian needle ant spreading throughout the U.S.

“This is not only deceptive but also insulting to the hardworking shrimpers whose livelihoods are being undermined,” SeaD Consulting Founder and COO Erin Williams said. “It’s decimating the entire regional economy and culture they’ve worked for generations to build and promote.”

The release did not name the 40 restaurants results suggested were misleading customers or the 25 the consulting firm suggested were “outright fraudulent.”