WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has barred Miami, Florida-based Pangea Produce Distributors for failure to pay for produce.
According to a USDA press release, the company failed to pay $262,199.48 to three sellers for 39 lots of produce. Consequently, the company can no longer operate in the produce industry until August 17, 2017, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
In addition, Rachel M. Badilla, the company’s Principal, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until August 17, 2016, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. USDA experts have also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. The Agricultural Marketing Service, PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
