Needles found in strawberries in two other Australian states – police

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Needles have been found in strawberries in two other Australian states, police said Monday, widening fears about supermarket health.

A man from the state of Western Australia and a girl from southern Australia said they found needles in their strawberries in the past two days, police said.

According to police reports, seven strawberry brands in Australia are now reported to be contaminated with needles and pins, prompting authorities to issue warnings before eating.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told reporters on Monday that it was unclear whether the contamination was the result of one person acting alone or several people acting independently.

Queensland consumers were the first to say they found needles in strawberries.

"A member of the public today presented at the York Police Station his fears that a needle has slipped into a trickle of strawberries," the Australian police said in a statement.

"The public advised to put the needle in his sink after making strawberries for his family. He did not remember that the needle was in the sink before preparing the strawberries.

The South Australian police said she was advising members of the public to check out Mal's Black Label strawberry baskets, following a report of a needle found inside the fruit on Sunday morning.

"When the fruits were eaten this morning, a needle was found in one of the strawberries. No injuries have been reported, "state police said. Police in both states investigation.

The two largest supermarket chains in New Zealand decided on Monday to stop ordering Australian strawberries for the time being, although the country's Ministry of Primary Industries has confirmed that none of the contaminated strawberry brands had arrived in the country. stores.

Australian police said the tainted fruit appeared to come from a Queensland-based vendor. Queensland is a major producer of strawberries in a national industry that earns more than 130 million Australian dollars ($ 93.22 million) annually.

Woolworths Group has removed all the relevant brands from the shelves in its supermarkets, but continues to sell other varieties of fruit.

Jamie Michael, who is head of the Western Australia Strawberry Growers Association, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp that his farm had thrown strawberries at the height of the season and that some for next year.