CHARLOTTETOWN – A lozenge plant in Prince Edward Island has laid off 30 workers, citing an “almost non-existent” cold and cough season amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Island Abbey Foods says sales of its Honibe cough and cold lozenges have declined in the first two quarters of 2021.
The Charlottetown company says in a statement it made the difficult decision to eliminate 30 temporary positions from its production operation.
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Island Abbey Foods says 2020 was a tremendous year and it increased its headcount significantly in anticipation of ongoing higher demand.
The P.E.I. firm says it has continuously adapted to the ever-changing business realities of COVID-19, and has seen substantial gains with its digital retail strategy.
But it says online sales have not replaced the volume the company projected for a regular cold and cough season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
