Hebridean Sea Salt

Insolvency agents have been appointed at Hebridean Sea Salt which is embroiled in a high profile dispute over the provenance of its product.

The company - Based in Habost in Pairc, Lewis - collapsed with £244,000 of debt and voluntarily applied to be dissolved.

Fiona Grant and Lisa Hogg of Wilson Field have been appointed as liquidators.

They will sell the firm’s assets and distribute any proceeds amongst creditors.

The company supplied retailers including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and the Co-op. It also exported to US and Canadian markets and was used in many high class restuarats.

► Hebridean Sea Salt is “80% imported table salt”

Stornoway Sheriff Court was told the firm is “unable to pay its debts as they fall due.

Court documents state: “The directors resolved as the company was insolvent it should be wound up.”

A statement from the liquidators said: “The company ran into difficulties following an investigation by the Western Isles Council’s officers on behalf of Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

“Problems at the Lewis-based Hebridean Sea Salt have been well-documented in the local and national media, with claims made by the FSS that the product labelling was misleading because products contained 80% of imported table salt.

“Owner and founder, Natalie Crayton, strongly disputed that her actions were deceptive and accused the FFS of “bully-boy tactics.””

She blamed the “unnecessary and extremely heavy-handed” actions for forcing the business to close down.

Unsavoury demise of troubled Hebridean Sea Salt

14 July 2017