Sherbrooke, QC, Canada—A horrible disaster struck a production plant owned by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (maker of Neptune Krill Oil [NKO]) on the afternoon of November 8. An explosion and fire reduced the production facility to rubble, killing three workers. At least 18 others were injured, some with severe burns. Investigators are searching for the cause of the explosion and the massive blaze that ensued.

As for its inventory of krill oil, all Neptune’s product was destroyed in the fire. Nonetheless, the company is determined to resume production and satisfy client needs, and has made public an action plan to do just that. The firm will reconstruct a plant using a facility that was already being expanded and existing equipment. The timeline for completing this project is being determined, but the company hopes the new site will be able to product 150,000 kilograms of krill annually. Neptune also plans to outsource the production of some of its krill products as a “long-term strategy to diversity sources and means of production.”

Neptune has also been focused on helping employees and their families through this tragedy. The firm has established counseling services for employees and set up a fund to help victims and their loved ones. In an official statement, Henri Harland, CEO and president of Neptune, stated “Our hearts are greatly traumatized by this horrible catastrophe that will remain in our minds forever. Our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families.”

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, January 2013 (online 11/28/12)