WASHINGTON, DC - Following and initial complaint filed on April 21,2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has closed the case against Jones Potato Chip Co. The Ohio-based company reportedly failed to make full payment promptly in the amount of $438,673 to four sellers, putting the company in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The PACA violations have been permanently abated without further process following the company paying a fine.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

After the complaint was filed, USDA and Jones Potato Chip Co. entered into a consent decision and order in which Jones Potato Chip Co. agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $5,000 for making untimely payments to sellers for produce purchases. As a result of Jones Potato Chip Co. satisfying the terms of the consent decision and order, the finding that it had committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations was permanently abated without further process and the case has been closed.

The PACA Division, a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For more information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service