Watchdog to investigate strawberry sabotage as NZ strips shelves of Aussie punnets

MORE contaminated strawberry punnets have been found as the federal government expressed its disappointment after the needle crisis saw local fruit pulled off international shelves.

MORE contaminated strawberry punnets have been found as the federal government expressed its disappointment after the needle crisis saw local fruit pulled off international shelves.

More cases have emerged in Western Australia and South Australia after New Zealand’s two largest food distributors — Foodstuffs and Countdown (owned by Woolworths)— this morning announced they were stripping shelves of Australian strawberries as a precaution.

Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt has also ordered the food safety watchdog to investigate Queensland’s handling of the issue.

Between them, Foodstuffs and Countdown control almost all of NZ’s grocery market.

Countdown said it had stopped ordering any further imports of Australian strawberries, while Foodstuffs had halted distribution.

Neither have been affected by the needle issue directly, but they were acting to reassure customers.

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said he was “disappointed” by Foodstuffs decision to halt Australian strawberries exports to New Zealand.

“Australia produces some of the best strawberries in the world and I’d urge families and businesses not to turn their backs on our farmers,” the Trade Minister told News Corp Minister Hunt’s announcement the food safety watchdog would be investigating the handling of the strawberry contamination matter.

“The Morrison Government is moving quickly to tackle any concerns by ordering Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to investigate the issue urgently, in addition to state and territory efforts to ensure any criminal actions are uncovered and prosecuted.”

Strawberry punnets are seen at a supermarket in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Australian strawberry exports to New Zealand generally decrease after September as the NZ growing season begins but it’s expected Foodstuffs decision will have a minor impact on farmers.

The move comes after needles were found in strawberries across Australia — most recently in South Australia and NSW.

So far there have been 10 cases across the country as police investigate the sabotage which has now spread to six brands across five states and the ACT.

Berry Obsession, Berry Licious and Donnybrook Berries have recalled their strawberries nationwide and Coles supermarkets have pulled all strawberries from their shelves as a precaution. Woolworths pulled some of its brands.

Aldi has just decided to put a selection of strawberries back on its shelves after they recently pulled them.

The contamination of fruit sold by Delightful Strawberries, Love Berries and Oasis is also being investigated.

Needle found in strawberry purchased from Foodland in Jamestown, South Australia. Picture: Supplied

New Zealand’s strawberry season is about to begin, which will fill the supply gap, the spokesman told AAP.

The country imports the fruit from Australia when it is out of season, typically from April to September.

A health warning has been issued across the east coast of Australia and in SA to bin or cut up strawberries.

More instances of needles being found inserted in the fruit has sparked suspicion of copycat behaviour.

The hunt to find those responsible for the needles is being led by Queensland Police.

The state’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also announced a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest. Police believe the needles were deliberately planted “to injure somebody”.

“How could any right-minded person want to put a baby or a child or anybody’s health at risk by doing such a dreadful act?” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This is putting families’ lives at risk and it’s also putting the strawberry industry at risk. We need to catch those responsible.”

STRAWBERRY SABOTAGE HITS NSW, SA

A piece of metal has been found in a strawberry bought on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Police on the northern beaches and the state’s Robbery & Serious Crime Squad are investigating the discovery of the metal inside a strawberry bought from a Mona Vale supermarket.

The most recent case was found in South Australia where a customer found a needle while eating a strawberry from a punnet of Mal’s Black Label on Sunday, SA police confirmed.

The punnet was bought from Klose’s Foodland Supermarket in Littlehampton on Saturday with the independent grocery retailer pulling the strawberries from all its shelves.

Meanwhile Western Australia’s Health Minister Roger Cook said people should be “very confident” about local strawberries.

The SA punnet had been exported from WA however Mr Cook said the needle tampering didn’t occur in WA.

The strawberry that was bought from Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers shop at Main South Road, Morphett Vale and cut open by the mother of a toddler boy. Police are investigating. Picture: Nine News

“There has been no incident of tampering of strawberry products in WA,” he told reporters.

“People should obviously be cautious, but there should be no fear in consuming strawberry products.

“We don’t know where this took place... the contamination may have taken place in South Australia.”

But a short time later on Monday, a man reported to the York Police Station in regional WA that a needle had been in a punnet of strawberries produced and packaged in the state.

He told officers he found it in his sink after preparing strawberries for his family and did not recall it being there beforehand.

Police are investigating the contaminations and consumers are urged to cut up strawberries before eating them.

FOOD WATCHDOG CALLED IN

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has ordered the national food safety watchdog to assess the states’ handling of strawberry contamination.

“This is a very vicious crime and it’s a general attack on the public, and it’s also an attack on a specific industry,” Mr Hunt told reporters.

He said while it was primarily a problem for the states, he had asked his department to request Food Standards Australia New Zealand make an “immediate appraisal” of the situation.

I have ordered the Food Standards Australia New Zealand to investigate the handling of strawberry contamination.
I urge all Australians be vigilant for potential contaminants.https://t.co/bakhCBh51X

— Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) September 17, 2018

His comments come as Nationals MP Andrew Broad says the culprits should be jailed.

“The low-life scum who think it’s somehow funny to chuck needles in strawberries I think should be chucked in jail as soon as they’re identified,” the frontbencher said.

Senior Morrison government minister Christopher Pyne also said today the Australian strawberry industry now faced “an enormous challenge” to rebuild confidence.

He said the culprits tampering with strawberries were criminals.

“I hope we catch them and prosecute them and they spend a lot of time behind bars, because that’s what they deserve,” the Defence Minister told Sky News.

“They have behaved shockingly badly.

“They are affecting the strawberry industry in Australia and now the exports to New Zealand.”

STRAWBERRY GROWERS SEEK HELP

The fall out is being felt in the strawberry industry as the Queensland government considers financial assistance packages for growers.

Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner has met with strawberry growers — who are nervous about their future — due to the rising instances of contamination.

Vice-president of the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association, Adrian Schultz, says what started with a single “act of commercial terrorism” has now brought a multimillion-dollar industry to its knees, with jobs beyond the growers now likely to be lost.

Mr Furner says industry-specific assistance packages are being considered but no plan will be made until an understanding of the “complete effect” of the sabotage is understood.

A needle found in a Berry Obsessions punnet from Woolworths recently. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

Strawberries Australia Inc Queensland spokesman Ray Daniels hoped customers would continue to buy berries.

“We produce 800,000 punnets a day and seven needles were found. You’ve got more chance of winning lotto than being affected,” he said.

“I would call on people to go out and buy strawberries today but please, cut them up to check.”

Queenland Oppsition Leader Deb Frecklington urged the public to support growers and continue to buy strawberries, just be vigilant and “chop them up”.

“As a community we must do everything we can to help our farmers,” she tweeted.

I will continue to do my bit to support our strawberry industry. Just remember to chop them up. As a community we must do everything we can to help our farmers. #qldpol #auspol pic.twitter.com/v5MLQpItXr

— Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) September 16, 2018

Sydney supplier Fruit & Veg 2u posted an online plea urging buyers to keep supporting strawberry growers.

“Do not stop buying strawberries! Think about the family that just spent $50,000 on their crop, is about to harvest... just cut them up!!!” their Facebook post read.

WHICH BRANDS ARE AFFECTED

Berry Obsession

Berry Licious

Love Berry

Donnybrook Berries

Delightful Strawberries

Oasis

Mal’s Black Label

Pinata

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A NEEDLE

Anyone who suspects they may have swallowed a needle should call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or contact their GP.

If you have information that could help police contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you find a needle in a strawberry punnet contact police on 131 444.

- Additonal reporting AAP