The USDA has imposed sanctions on Fresh Florida Products Inc. Tampa, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
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.
Fresh Florida failed to pay $390,603 to eight sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from May 2021 to February 2022, according to the release. This is in violation of the PACA. Fresh Florida cannot operate in the produce industry until July 12, 2025, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA, the release said
The company’s principal, Tareq Damra, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until July 12, 2024, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond, according to the release.
For further information, contact Corey Elliott, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
