on 12-09-2018 06:42 PM
Strawberries sold in Woolworths found with sewing needles embedded inside
Queensland's police and health authorities are investigating after sewing needles were found inside strawberries bought from Woolworths.
Chief Health Office Dr Jeannette Young has advised anyone who bought strawberries since the start of last week in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, to throw them out.
"If they do have any strawberries it would be safest to dispose of them," she said.
"One person did consume a contaminated strawberry and they're being assessed at the moment."
She said three incidents have been reported to police, including one in Queensland and two in Victoria.
Dr Young said the brands contaminated were called Berrylicious and Berry Obsession and have come from a farm in south-east Queensland.
A Facebook user posted a warning several days ago about a punnet of Berry Obsession strawberries, which were purchased from Woolworths at the Strathpine Centre on Brisbane's northside.
Joshua Gane said he was driving up to the coast when his friend bit into a strawberry and swallowed "half a sewing needle".
"We then checked the other strawberries and found another sewing needle lodged inside one of them," he said.
"We are now at the ER because he subsequently started experiencing severe abdominal pain."
Mr Gane later said they received a call from the store manager at the Strathpine Centre who said it would be issuing a total recall on all of the punnets.
"They suspect it is foul play, but unsure whether it was via the supplier, Woolworths or a customer," the post said.
Acting Chief Superintendent Terry Lawrence from the State Crime Command said police believe the contamination was deliberate.
"[It's been done] obviously to injure somebody," he said.
"Police have spoken to the person who operates the farm and they are assisting us with our inquiries," he said.
Authorities across the three states were investigating to find the culprits.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Woolworths said it had taken the contaminated strawberries from the shelves, while the incident was being investigated with the suppliers.
"Customers are advised to return these products to their local Woolworths for a full refund," the spokesperson said.
Police believe they have contained the threat and assured consumers would be able to safely buy strawberries again from tomorrow when the stock is replaced.
Guess I'll be chopping mine and not eating them whole.
They are not from the farms mentioned, but I'm not taking any chances.
on 16-09-2018 04:30 PM
we are getting closer to needing everything sealed, nothing will be sold without a protective layer.
at a time when we are demanding less packaging!
on 16-09-2018 06:49 PM
It's such a shame isn't it. The strawberries are so beautiful at the moment.. I still bought a punnet from Safeway a couple of days ago and we didn't have any problems with them.. just have to chop them up to be sure
on 16-09-2018 07:08 PM
on 16-09-2018 08:16 PM
on 16-09-2018 08:23 PM
I ordered a punnet of strawberries from Coles online a few days ago....then I read about the sewing needles. Talk about timing (especially as I rarely buy them).
However, my strawberries were delivered...but it was a couple of days before I could finally bring myself to open the punnet. I am relieved to report that all the strawberries were delicious - with no mould and definitely no needles. Phew.
on 17-09-2018 05:19 PM
@davidc4430 wrote:we are getting closer to needing everything sealed, nothing will be sold without a protective layer.
at a time when we are demanding less packaging!
The question is WHY strawberries? Next week it might be bananas or apples. I guess we all will have to invest in large magnet and test everything. I bought one some time ago when I spilled box of tacks on lawn, and it picked them up beautifully. It sits on my shelf and attracts any ferrous metal placed near.
on 17-09-2018 07:10 PM
18-09-2018 03:53 PM - edited 18-09-2018 03:56 PM
Now needles found in apples n bananas......................absolutely disgraceful.
Perps should realize how many small family businesses this affects.
Fruit pickers, fruit n vegie stores, packaging n transport companies.
Australia's export reputation.
If caught they should be charged with attempted physical assault using weapons.
Or placed in a pillory and used as pin cushions.
on 18-09-2018 03:56 PM
It's looking like a base form of terrorism ....
on 18-09-2018 04:02 PM
I was about to say the same, this is very strange as suddenly they are in apples & bananas too.
It's going to affect the export industry (already has with strawberries)
I noticed a minister commented that he 'hopes' if they catch a culprit that that person will spend time in jail. Hopes?
You have people who have caused massive, massive disruption to industry, affected the livelihood of farmers, affected out export market but more importantly, deliberately put people's lives at risk.
I'd be pretty sure if they got caught doing stuff like that in USA, it would most definitely be jail time!! Wouldn't need a minister to 'hope'.