USDA sanctions Florida, Texas, Hawaii companies under PACA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three businesses for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The USDA has suspended the PACA licenses of the businesses and barred the principals from working in the industry without approval from the department, according to a news release.

The business are, according to the release:

• NS&J World Trading Corp., Miami, for failing to pay $155,441 to a Puerto Rico seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Silvia Penaranda was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
• So Ono Food Products LLC, Honolulu, for not paying $118,362 to a Washington seller. Richard C. Wheeler of Fresh Foods Hawaii Inc. and Uzor U. Nwoko were listed as members of the business.
• Agro Torres Produce LLC, McAllen, Texas, for not paying $11,323 to a Massachusetts seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Osvelia Torres Chavez and Ricardo Martinez Moreno were listed as members of the business.