Nearly $2M in PACA violations for Texas and Georgia companies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed administrative complaints against Riba Foods Inc. and Roberson Onion Corp., doing business as Roberson Produce, for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
Riba, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to seven produce sellers in the amount of $948,577 from October 2022 through May 2023.
Roberson, operating from Georgia, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 12 produce sellers in the amount of $889,309 from March 2023 through September 2023.
Each company will have the opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that they committed repeated and flagrant violations, they 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, their 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.
