March 27, 2008

Aker Seafood closes down seafood processing plant

Norwegian seafood processor Aker Seafoods has closed portions of its Melbu-Nordland plant due to complaints of poor hygiene from state food inspectors.
 

The plant has received several complaints of poor hygiene from officials from state food inspectorate Mattilsynet, which made a surprise visit on March 12, 2008 and decided that its previous demands for hygiene improvements have not been carried out.

However, before a closure order for the plant is released, Aker Seafoods have acted to close down affected areas with Akers chief executive Yngve Myhre saying that some improvements have actually been made, for example, the fixing of a leaking roof.

"We can't live with customers feeling insecure, therefore we're halting operations to make improvements and carry out maintenance that's necessary," said Myhre.

The Melbu, Nordland facility produces frozen fish products, and the company exports fresh and frozen fish fillets to Europe's grocery stores and other fish processing facilities in Norway and Denmark.

Based in Oslo, Norway, Aker Seafood harvests, processes, and sells seafood from regulated fisheries that are and will remain renewable if properly managed.