Five PACA violators in California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Ohio have been restricted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from operating in the produce industry.
IBC Produce, Inc., a Los Angeles, CA-based company, was barred for failing to pay a $9,966 award in favor of a Washington seller. Kwan S. In was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Hall Brothers Produce LLC, a Plant City, FL-based company, failed to pay a $17,240 award in favor of a Florida seller. William T. Hall, Jr. was listed as a member of the business.
Produce Fresh, Inc., a San Antonio, TX-based company failed to pay a $20,923 award in favor of a Florida seller. Maria L. Baez was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Trans Mid East Shipping & Trading Agency, Inc., a Farmingdale, NY-based company, was barred for failing to pay a $49,000 award in favor of an Arizona seller. Alex Joudeh and Iskander Joudeh were listed as the officers, directors, and major stockholders of the business.
Tony Sylvester, doing business as Sylvester Produce, a Sylvania, OH-based company, failed to pay a $12,320 award in favor of a Michigan seller. Tony Sylvester was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million, according to a press release. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
Agricultural Marketing Service
