Icelandic seafood company Hrísey shut down temporarily over health and safety concerns

Hrísey Seafood, the largest employer on the island of Hrísey, has been temporarily shut down by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) due to health and safety hazards. The company, which employs around 15 people for fish processing and the operation of two boats, will reopen after necessary improvements have been made.

The shutdown came after authorities received a tip-off regarding the operations of the company. The conditions were deemed so severe that it was necessary to temporarily close the facility while the owners carry out the appropriate cleaning and improvements. However, MAST did not specify exactly what the issues were, only stating that it wasn’t safe for the company to distribute food products in its current state.

Despite the closure, MAST does not believe it necessary to recall any products that have recently been distributed by Hrísey Seafood. The closure of operations in this manner is said to be very rare, with this being the first such intervention this year.

The company, which was taken over by new owners in 2019, suffered significant damages in 2020 when the processing plant was destroyed by fire. The owners were not available for comment at the time of this report.

Once the necessary improvements are made, the company will be allowed to resume operations and distribute food products that do not pose a risk to consumer health or safety.