As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against B & B Organics Inc. The company, operating from Indiana, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 23 produce sellers in the amount of $1,038,238 from June 2017 through April 2019.
B & B Organics Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
Click here for an overview of companies who previously violated PACA.
For more information:
Corey Elliott
USDA
Tel: (202) 720-6873
Email: PACAInvestigations@usda.gov