USDA cites Texas company for PACA violations
The USDA has imposed sanctions on Heyvel Produce LLC in Pharr, Texas, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release. Heyvel Produce LLC failed to pay $405,558 to one seller for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from June 2022 to July 2022, in violation of PACA, the USDA said.
Heyvel Produce LLC cannot operate in the produce industry until Jan. 18, 2026, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA, according to the release. The company’s principal, Noe de Jesus Hernandez Villafuerte, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Jan. 18, 2025, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
USDA said that by issuing the penalties, it continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For further information, contact Corey Elliott, chief of the Investigative Enforcement Branch, at 202-720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
