The USDA has imposed sanctions on produce businesses in Texas, New Jersey and Florida for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release.
The USDA said the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Mexia RB Produce LLC, operating out of Houston, for failing to pay a $27,409 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Roger Muartua Mejia was listed as the sole member of the business.
- Three D Food Service Inc., operating out of Secaucus, N.J., for failing to pay a $25,465 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daniel Rojas Perez was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
- Triple H Produce LLC, operating out of Pharr, Texas, for failing to pay a $27,987 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Heriberto Vlaminck Ley, Rosa Ley Lopez, Hugo Vlaminck Ley and Heriberto Vlaminck Seidel were listed as the members of the business.
- Consorcio De La Cruz LLC, operating out of Miami, for failing to pay a $27,307 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Leonardo Radibelkys and Luz Maria De La Cruz were listed as the members of the business.
By issuing these penalties, the USDA said it continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, chief of the dispute resolution branch, at 202-720-2890 or PACAdispute@usda.gov.
