Dole Firm Pays $180,000 PACA Fine on Grapes

November 23, 1999

Dole Bakersfield Inc., also trading as Dole Fresh Fruit of Westlake Village, CA, has settled a USDA action by paying a $180,000 civil penalty and agreeing to a compliance program. The action was filed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and involves imported grapes that failed to meet U.S. import rules.

The complaint alleged that the firm permitted six trailer loads of Mexican table grapes to be imported into the United States although the grapes did not meet U.S. import size requirements. In a consent decree filed Nov. 19, the firm denied the violation but, for the purpose of settlement of this matter, agreed to pay a $180,000 monetary penalty in lieu of a 30-day suspension of its PACA license and institute a compliance program to train Dole employees.

The compliance program provides a mechanism for USDA to monitor implementation. Entering into a consent decision resolves the issue more quickly than a disciplinary hearing and is less costly to both USDA and the company.