Florida agriculture officials have issued 57 stop-sale orders and shut down a Hialeah hemp and kratom specialty shop after discovering products containing illegal levels of THC, violations of child-safety packaging laws, and evidence of operating without a valid food permit.
On November 10, 2025, inspectors from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Food Safety conducted a product re-inspection at Billy Ssa, located at 188 E 4th Ave in Hialeah. What they found resulted in one of the most comprehensive enforcement actions seen in the region this year.
The Investigation
The inspection was conducted by Senior Sanitation and Safety Specialist Francis Odio and Environmental Specialist II Pedro Llanos, responding to request #5143496. The establishment, owned by Nemat LLC and operated by Saloukha Belal, was found to be operating without a valid food permit—a fundamental violation that alone can shut down operations.
🚨 Critical Finding: Controlled Substances
Multiple hemp products tested above the legal 0.3% delta-9 THC threshold, classifying them as controlled substances under Florida Statute 893.03(1)(c)190.a. These products cannot be legally sold without proper licensing and were immediately placed under stop-sale orders.
What Went Wrong: A Pattern of Violations
The inspection uncovered a systematic failure to comply with Florida's hemp and kratom regulations. Inspectors documented violations across multiple categories, each representing serious public safety concerns.
Major Violations Discovered:
- Violation 98: Hemp extract products containing total delta-9 THC concentration exceeding 0.3% (controlled substance)
- Violation 71: Products not sold in child-resistant packaging as required by ASTM International D3475-20 standards
- Violation 77: Hemp products attractive to children, containing color additives prohibited under Florida Statute 581.217(3)(a)
- Violation 75: Missing critical labeling: batch numbers, expiration dates, serving sizes, manufacturer information, and ingredients lists
- Violation 75: Scannable barcodes/QR codes not linking to certificate of analysis within 3 or fewer steps
- Violation 75: Products intended for inhalation missing "Not Intended For Ingestion - Do Not Eat" warning labels
- Violation 83: Missing required kratom age restriction signage at point of sale
- Violation 99: Operating without a valid food permit
- Violation 24 Pf: No written procedures for responding to vomit or diarrheal events
The Products Under Scrutiny
Among the 57 products placed under stop-sale orders, inspectors found a disturbing pattern: products marketed with names designed to appeal to consumers were simultaneously failing basic safety standards meant to protect children and ensure product quality.
Examples of Seized Products:
| Product | Brand | Quantity | Primary Violation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eights Indica Luxury LCG THC Blend | Big Dreams | 3 packages (3.50g each) | THC > 0.3% |
| Space Kong TCHP Flower (Hybrid) | Unknown | 20 packages (1g each) | THC > 0.3% |
| Space Kong TCHP Flower (Sativa) | Unknown | 52 packages (1g each) | Missing labeling |
| Smak'd THC Infused (Multiple flavors) | Terp Nation LLC | 120 packages (3.5oz each) | Color additives/child packaging |
| Mellow Fellow Disposable Vapes | Arvida Labs LLC | 12 packages (2ml each) | Expired/serving size |
Child Safety Concerns
Perhaps most alarming were the child-safety violations. Florida law requires hemp and kratom products to be packaged in containers that meet strict child-resistant standards and must not be attractive to children.
Inspectors found multiple products sold in packaging with bright colors and appealing designs—some containing color additives specifically prohibited because they could attract children. Additionally, none of the seized products met ASTM International D3475-20 standards for child-resistant packaging.
The Distributors
The investigation traced products to multiple distributors across Florida, including:
- Arvida Labs LLC (Fort Lauderdale) - Disposable vapes and flower products
- Terp Nation LLC (Hallandale Beach) - THC-infused beverages with prohibited color additives
- Alpha Brands LLC (Bristol, TN) - THC-infused flower products
- Rogue City Distributors (Tampa) - THCA gummies without proper labeling
- Just Brands LLC (Fort Lauderdale) - THC beverages
- Natural Recovery LLC (Wheaton, IL) - Hemp-infused seltzers
Immediate Actions Taken
Owner representative Saloukha Belal cooperated with inspectors and agreed to voluntarily destroy products that did not contain controlled substances. Products containing controlled substances (THC levels above 0.3%) were placed under stop-sale orders pending potential law enforcement involvement.
The inspection report states: "Product was voluntarily destroyed by food establishment management and witnessed by inspector." Belal also signed a waiver of rights to an administrative hearing, acknowledging the violations.
📋 Next Steps Required
The establishment must:
• Submit payment of appropriate permitting fees within 10 days
• Obtain a valid food permit before reopening
• Ensure all future products meet Florida hemp and kratom regulations
• Implement written procedures for sanitation emergencies
• Post required kratom age restriction signage
The Bigger Picture
This inspection highlights the ongoing challenges regulators face in Florida's rapidly evolving hemp and kratom market. Since hemp was legalized federally in 2018, states have struggled to establish and enforce consistent safety standards.
Florida's regulations require:
- All hemp products maintain THC levels at or below 0.3% on a wet-weight basis
- Child-resistant packaging meeting ASTM standards
- Products must not be attractive to children through design or color additives
- Comprehensive labeling including batch numbers, expiration dates, and certificates of analysis
- QR codes linking to third-party lab test results within 3 clicks
- Clear warnings on inhalation products
- Age restriction signage for kratom sales
- Valid food permits for all establishments
Legal Implications
The discovery of products containing controlled substances could lead to additional consequences beyond the food safety violations. Florida Statute 893.03(1)(c)190.a classifies products containing more than 0.3% delta-9 THC as controlled substances, the same legal category as marijuana.
The inspection report notes that for products containing controlled substances, "a court order obtained by a law enforcement agency may be required before the Department may release the product for destruction."
Operating without a valid food permit can result in fines up to $5,000 and administrative action to suspend food activities. The Department may also pursue additional penalties for each violation category documented.
Industry Response Needed
This case serves as a warning to other hemp and kratom retailers across Florida. The Division of Food Safety has been ramping up enforcement actions, and retailers can expect more frequent and thorough inspections.
Industry experts note that compliance isn't optional. "These aren't suggestions—they're legal requirements designed to protect public health," said one regulatory consultant familiar with Florida hemp law. "Retailers who ignore these rules are putting their customers at risk and their businesses in jeopardy."
| Inspection Summary | |
|---|---|
| Establishment | Billy Ssa |
| Owner | Nemat LLC |
| Location | 188 E 4th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010-4906 |
| Inspection Date | November 10, 2025 |
| Visit Number | 9999-7182-3090-30 |
| Inspectors | Francis Odio, Pedro Llanos |
| Products Seized | 57 stop-sale orders issued |
| Status | Closed pending permit payment and compliance |
What Happens Next
Billy Ssa has 10 days from the inspection date to remit payment for a food permit and demonstrate compliance with all state regulations. The establishment cannot legally operate until:
- A valid food permit is obtained
- All violating products are removed from inventory
- Written procedures for sanitation emergencies are established
- Required age restriction signage is posted
- The establishment passes a follow-up inspection
A copy of the full inspection report is available online at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Food Permit Center website, where consumers can search for inspection records of any licensed food establishment in the state.
💡 Consumer Advisory
Consumers who purchased products from Billy Ssa are advised to check their products against the stop-sale list. Products containing controlled substances should not be consumed and may need to be surrendered to law enforcement. For questions, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (850) 245-5520.