Covid-19: High Liner Foods closes New Hampshire facility

North American frozen seafood company High Liner Foods has temporarily suspended all production at its Portsmouth, New Hampshire after some of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19).

To contain the virus spread, the company has initiated deep cleaning, contact tracing and risk assessment at the facility.

The company said it will resume production at the Portsmouth facility as soon as it is responsible to do so.

High Liner Foods president and CEO Rod Hepponstall said: “Our priority is the health and safety of our employees who are doing essential work supplying food to families across North America.

“We are maximising all available resources to safeguard our people and ensure a steady supply of frozen seafood to meet the needs of retailers and consumers across North America during this unprecedented time.”

To minimise the impact on product supply, the company has redirected a portion of production from its Portsmouth site to its Newport News and Lunenburg plants.

The company noted that it is increasing its health and safety procedures with enhanced daily sanitation at its plants and using standard personal protective equipment that protects employee health.

High Liner Foods distributes its products across the US and Canada under various brands such as High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, and Sea Cuisine, which are available in most grocery and club stores.

It also sells branded products to restaurants and institutions under the High Liner, Mirabel, Icelandic Seafood and FP.

In September 2016, Blue Harvest Fisheries acquired High Liner Foods for an undisclosed sum.

As part of the deal, Blue Harvest Fisheries agreed to acquire High Liner Foods scallop business, as well as the processing facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts.