WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a recent USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Global Sunrise Import Export LLC, operating out of Miramar, FL, for failing to pay a $21,054 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Alejandro Machuca was listed as a member of the business.
• Commodities Exchange LLC, operating out of San Antonio, TX, for failing to pay a $27,360 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eduardo Trevino was listed as a member of the business.

The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.  All oversight of actions related to PACAare conducted by AMS, an agency within USDA.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service