Higgins’ Legislation Cracking Down on Toxic Foreign Imports Passes House

Jul 21, 2026 | Agriculture, Media, Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2715, the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act.

Congressman Higgins and Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) introduced the legislation in April 2025. The bill would authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to destroy imported products that pose significant health risks. Read the bill text here.

The legislation comes amid reports of toxic, radioactive seafood entering U.S. ports, as well as health risks posed by illegal foreign-made vapes, both of which would be subject to destruction under this bill. Currently, the FDA can destroy dangerous imported medicine and medical devices, but not food, which allows foreign vessels turned away at one port to unload their cargo at another. While originally crafted to address seafood imports, H.R. 2715 would close this loophole across the board, preventing hazardous products of all kinds from entering U.S. markets.

"The House is prioritizing the health and safety of the American people by ensuring that predatory foreign actors are not offloading harmful products at our ports," said Rep. Clay Higgins. "Our bill empowers the FDA to destroy contaminated products, a necessary step to ensure radioactive seafood and counterfeit goods are not reaching American consumers. We are protecting the American people and domestic industry."

"This legislation will protect Louisiana's health and support our seafood economy. By granting the FDA the necessary authority to destroy food products that fail to meet our strict health and safety standards, we are closing a dangerous loophole that has allowed contaminated seafood to enter our markets," said Rep. Troy Carter, Sr. "This bill protects consumers from potential health risks and upholds the integrity of our food supply chain, while supporting Louisiana fishermen and seafood processors."

"No one should be surprised that foreign exporters choose to ship contaminated food to the U.S. market if the worst that can happen is that the product is returned to them by the FDA," said Blake Price, Executive Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. "This loophole in the law has unintentionally incentivized the flooding of our market with foreign shrimp containing banned antibiotics, harmful pathogens, and, most recently, radioactive substances that undercut hard-working U.S. shrimpers. The American shrimp industry is incredibly grateful for the leadership of Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter in advancing the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act, common sense, bipartisan legislation that closes the loophole and gives the FDA authority to destroy goods that pose a significant threat to public health."

Congressman Higgins led debate in favor of H.R. 2715 before it passed by voice. Watch his full remarks here.