USDA will recognize a limited liability company as a legal entity under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).  Most states already have the designation.  A notice to be published in today's Federal Register provides information about how USDA handles LLCs under the PACA, especially regarding licensing of LLCs and the responsibly connected status of LLC principals.

Although the PACA and related regulations do not specifically identify LLCs, USDA has the authority to license LLC businesses, because they are legal entities and therefore are required to be licensed when they operate subject to the PACA.