As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on C&D Produce Outlet Inc. of West Palm Beach, FL, for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased.

These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed businesses or other activities without approval from USDA. By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

C&D Produce failed to pay $104,595 to seven sellers for produce that it purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from May 2015 to October 2016. This is in violation of the PACA. As a result of these actions, C&D Produce cannot operate in the produce industry until April 20, 2021, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principals, Carol Saldana, Collyn Saldana, Daniel Saldana Jr., Cirilia Saldana-Barazorda and Luis Paula, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until April 20, 2020, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million.