The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Burbano Corporation, doing business as CasaBella Farms Corp. (Burbano) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to four produce sellers in the amount of $385,084 from March 2020 through September 2021, according to a news release.
Burbano 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, the release said. 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.
For more information, contact Corey Elliott, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].