USDA lifts PACA reparations on Texas business

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Prometo Produce Corp., BB #:297837 satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $15,400 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions. The McAllen, Texas, company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Vicente Diaz Moreno was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee. PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. 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. Once...