Produce with Illegal Pesticide Residue Fines and Settlements
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The Enforcement Branch is responsible for ensuring produce is not packed, shipped, or sold with pesticide residue above the established permissible tolerance level.
Companies packing, shipping, or selling produce with illegal pesticide residue are subject to civil prosecution of up to $10,000 per each violation under Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) section 12998, or, in lieu of civil prosecution, a civil administrative penalty of up to $5,000 under FAC section 12999.4. DPR's policy is to pursue settlement possibilities in cases where we believe the company has not acted in bad faith in committing the violations and has fully cooperated with our investigation in the matter.
The following listing provides cases and fines related to produce with illegal pesticide residue:
| Date | Company Name | Produce | Settlement/Fine Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/26/2024 | Charles Matoian Enterprises, Inc., dba OK Produce | Key Limes, Caribe Peppers, Serrano Peppers, Guavas, Tomatoes, Green Beans, and Limes | $33,000 |
| 06/26/2019 | Marquez Produce | $175,435 | |
| 10/25/2018 | Greenfield Produce Imports | Snow Peas | $8,000 |
| 09/24/2018 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Lychee and Dragon Fruit | $8,000 |
| 07/20/2017 | Yi Bao Produce Group, Inc. | Lychee, Longan, Ya pear, Lotus Root, Ginger and Water Chestnut | $63,000 |
| 05/18/2018 | Mexpobaja | Tomatillo, Cilantro and Cactus Fruit | $14,000 |
| 01/23/2017 | Gridley Packing, Inc. | Kiwi | $5,000 |
| 11/09/2017 | Tarla Distributors, Inc. | Xoconostle Cactus Fruit, Cactus Pads | $18,000 |
| 06/12/2017 | Wal-Mart | Acorn, Squash, Limes, Cilantro, and Mangos | $17,000 |
| 04/07/2017 | Marquez Produce | Gray Squash, Serrano Peppers, Jalepenos, Chayote, Cactus Pads, and Pasilla Peppers | $105,000 |
| 09/01/2016 | Major Kooner | Grapes | $10,000 |
| 06/13/2016 | RM Produce Corporation | Cactus Pears, Cactus Leaves, Cactus Pads, Jalepeno Peppers, Grey Summer Squash, Serrano Peppers | $18,000 |
| 02/16/2016 | A.J. Produce Imports, Inc. | Cactus Pears, Cactus Leaves, Sugar Snap Peas, and Epazote | $10,000 |
| 02/04/2016 | Tarla Distributors, Inc. | Cactus Pads and Cactus Fruit | $7,000 |
| 11/02/2015 | Yang Wu International, Inc. dba YW International | Arrow Fruit, Dragon Fruit and Litchi Fruit | $14,000 |
| 07/08/2015 | Top Quality Produce, Inc. | Longan, Burdock Root, Lychee | $10,000 |
| 06/22/2015 | Yi Bao Produce Group, Inc. and Zhong Bao Food International, Inc. | Taro Root, Ginger, Fragrant Pear, and Longan | $15,000 |
| 05/22/2015 | La Sucursal Produce, Inc. | Tomatillos, Cactus Pears, Cactus Leaves | $12,000 |
| 05/12/2015 | Primary Export International, Inc. | Lychee and Longan | $9,000 |
| 05/08/2015 | V & L Produce, Inc. | Purslane, Cactus Leaves, Mexican Squash | $6,000 |
| 12/01/2014 | Marquez Produce | Cactus Leaves, Tomatillos, Squash | $21,000 |
| 05/22/2013 | V.L. Farms | Strawberries | $15,000 |
| 05/26/2011 | Best Oriental Produce, Inc. | Long Beans | $10,000 |
| 07/23/2010 | Cal Fresco, LLC | Cactus Leaves | $10,000 |
For content questions, contact:
Daniel Rubin, Chief Counsel
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
Phone: (916) 324-2666
E-mail: Daniel.Rubin@cdpr.ca.gov