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People all over Australia, including a 7-year-old girl, have been bitten by store bought strawberries in recent weeks and have found hidden needles inside, which has resulted in serious safety concerns food and an urgent hunt to the guilty.
The needles were discovered in several brands of strawberries and were found in all six states, and police suspect that copiers increased the risk.
The proliferation of high-profile incidents has led supermarkets to stop selling strawberries and the police to be cautious about eating fruit, making the simple pleasure of biting a strawberry a frightening act.
The strawberry industry and the authorities have tried to reassure the public and propose temporary solutions.
"The councils continue to eat strawberries, but cut them and look at them first" the Queensland state police said in a message on Facebook.
But a steady stream of news has raised concerns. On Sunday, a seven-year-old girl in South Australia bit a strawberry with a needle but was not injured. On Monday, a man in Western Australia discovered a needle in a strawberry when he cut it. Earlier this month, a 21-year-old man from Queensland had to go to the hospital after swallowing a part of a sewing needle.
"It was not a pleasant surprise," said the man, Hoani Hearne, at 9 News last week.
On Monday, Queensland police said a 62-year-old woman had contaminated a banana with a metal object, but she did not believe she was connected to other attacks. It was the first incident of this type involving a different type of fruit.
The strawberry industry has been striving to regain consumer confidence. A farm presented a metal detector, according to which all strawberries would pass. At least six brands have recalled their berries.
The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association, which said a disgruntled former employee was behind the first attacks, said the berries were very likely compromised "between the time they were packaged and the moment they were purchased." ".
"Unfortunately, preventing acts of extremism, sabotage and mere malice from people with grudges appears to be a growing challenge in our society," he adds. said in a statement.
Health Minister Greg Hunt ordered a federal inquiry, while the Queensland government offered a reward of $ 100,000 – about $ 72,000 – for finding a culprit.
"Unfortunately, three members of the community may not understand the harm they are doing and the potential for serious injury or death for someone who might accidentally eat one of these fruits," Ian said. Stewart, commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, told reporters.
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