A Principal Of J & N Produce Inc. In Michigan Is Found Responsibly Connected For

AMS No. 057-11

Nadine Wilkins (202)720-8998Nadine.wilkins@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) has found Nagi G. Habib responsibly connected to J & N Produce Inc. (J & N) in Detroit, Mich. J & N failed to pay 20 sellers totaling $256,824.10 for 589 lots of produce. This is in violation of the PACA.

As a result, Nagi G. Habib may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 7, 2012, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

Under PACA provisions, those individuals held responsibly connected to PACA violations, including sole proprietors, partners, members, officers, directors, and stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Branch, regulates fair trading practices of produce companies operating subject to the PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. The USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke a company’s license for violations of the PACA. All oversight of actions related to the PACA are conducted by the AMS, an agency within the USDA.

In fiscal year 2010, USDA resolved approximately 2,000 claims filed under the PACA involving $30 million. This is just one more way the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For further information contact Phyllis Hall, Director, Trade Practices Section, at (202) 720-6873, by fax at (202) 720-8868, or by email at TradePracticesSection@ams.usda.gov.

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