The company has appointed Rob Harding and Richard Hawes, restructuring partners at Deloitte, as joint administrators to investigate sale options.
In a statement the partners said: “The current pandemic is having a devastating effect on consumer-facing businesses and suppliers into them, such as Adelie.
“The impact of Covid-19 on the company’s order book resulted in a material funding requirement and, as a result, we have been working hard with Adelie’s management to try and secure a buyer to ensure the right longer-term future for the business.
“As administrators we appreciate the help from employees and management and we will do all we can to support them at what is clearly a difficult time.”
Adelie, which has its headquarters near Heathrow in west London, operates three manufacturing sites and five distribution centres around the UK. As well as foodservice, the company also supplies coffee shops, convenience stores and travel locations.
It was bought in 2016 by UK asset management company Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and employs about 2,000 staff.
Earlier in the month it was reported that Adelie was looking for a financial rescue deal and rival companies Greencore, Samworth and Bakkavor were linked with it in media speculation.