USDA restricts PACA violators in four states from operating

The USDA has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses 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 (PACA), according to a news release.

These 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.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry, the release said:

• Directo Produce Sourcing LLC, operating out of Stratford, Conn., for failing to pay a $17,115 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kelvin Pena was listed as the manager and member of the business.
• Nico Mexi Foods Inc., operating out of Chicago, for failing to pay a $108,243 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nicolas Ibarra was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
• Raz Trading LLC, operating out of Staten Island, N.Y., for failing to pay a $55,446 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kevin Razzoli was listed as the manager and member of the business.
• Golden Global USA Inc., operating out of Las Vegas, for failing to pay a $66,554 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Duke Park was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, chief at the Dispute Resolution Branch, at 202-720-2890 or PACAdispute@usda.gov.