MEXICO CITY (Reuters – Mexico’s government has announced that it established a working party to investigate claims of forced labor at two tomato export businesses. It was created after U.S. Customs and Border Protection had threatened to ban the imports.

CBP announced in a statement Thursday that its officers would detain all fresh tomatoes at U.S. ports-of-entry effective October 21.

CBP issued an order of withholding release against Agropecuarios Horticola, and their affiliates based on reasonable evidence that forced labor was used against the workers.

Mexico’s labor minister said that the government has requested the economy ministry open a communication link with the businesses, in coordination and with the National Agricultural Council. The investigation will also be conducted.

According to the labor ministry, “If there’s a violation of labor regulations,” a plan was created in order to ensure workers’ rights.

The ministry stated that the CBP order will allow tomato companies to appeal to U.S. Customs Authority and to present evidence proving their compliance to labor regulations in order to have the sanctions lifted.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has stated that addressing labor claims involving forced workers is an important part of its trade relations to Mexico.

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security Department, stated Wednesday that the government wanted to “clarify that products made entirely or in part from forced labor will no longer be permitted into the United States…We will remove it form American supply chains.”

According to the Biden administration’s estimates, approximately 25 million people suffer from forced labor in all parts of the world according to International Labor Organization.