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(CNN) – A major New Zealand supermarket chain removes Australian-branded Choice strawberries from rays across the country after needles were found in a Western Australian strawberry container purchased in Auckland.
The supermarket chain Countdown said Sunday that the Choice brand had been removed from the stores "as a precautionary measure". Countdown also advises customers to cut strawberries before eating them.
The chain said that no illness or injury had been reported in New Zealand. Countdown works with the New Zealand and Australian authorities.
"At Countdown, we take food safety very seriously and have removed all Choice strawberries from the sale of Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets as we investigate with our suppliers," the channel said in a statement.
The announcement comes after at least 100 reports of needles were found in strawberries in Australia last week.
Needles and sewing pins were found in the six Australian states in at least six brands of strawberries.
The needles caused panic in Australia and neighboring countries.
"It's not a joke, it's not funny, you endanger the livelihoods of hard-working Australians and frighten children," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday. "You are a coward and you are a larva, and if you do that kind of thing in this country, we will pursue you."
The Australian government has ordered a federal inquiry.
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