‘Berry terrorism’: Where cases of contaminated fruit have occurred in NSW
BIZARRE ‘berry terrorism’ has led to shopping hysteria with more than 50 reported cases of fruit sabotage in NSW alone. Here’s where the contaminations have been reported.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BIZARRE ‘berry terrorism’ has led to shopping hysteria with more than 50 reported cases of fruit sabotage in NSW alone.
More than 100 cases of needles found in fruit have occurred in the past week, mainly in strawberries but also in bananas, apples and mangoes and the cases, many believed to be the work of copycats, have made international headlines.
The crisis has led to plummeting strawberry prices and forced growers to dump millions of berries.
■Needles found in apples, bananas
■100 copycat fruit sabotage cases across nation
■Strawberry farmers forced to dump tonnes of fruit
Whoever’s responsible for placing needles in strawberries, an apple and a banana across NSW is “causing hysteria” and hurting growers, furious police said.
Anyone who tampers with food could soon face up to 15 years’ jail, in line with child pornography and terror financing offences.
There will also be a new offence of being reckless in causing harm, which will carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Here’s where the NSW contaminations have been reported
STRAWBERRY CASES
Engadine
Where: Coles, Engadine, 18-26 Waratah Rd, Engadine NSW 2233
When: Friday September 14
Info: Three needles were discovered in three strawberries in a single Delightful brand punnet on Friday. The customer alerted Sutherland Police Command who seized the fruit for forensic evidence. There were no injuries as a result of the contaminant.
Wingham
Where: Coles, Wingham, Wingham Plaza, Primrose St, Wingham NSW 2429
When: Wednesday September 12
Info: Mother Chantal Faugeras posted on Facebook that she had found three pins inside three strawberries in a punnet of Delightful strawberries after her 10-year-old daughter bit into one of them and felt the pin.
Mona Vale
Where: A home in Mona Vale
When: Friday September 14
Info: A mother called police after discovering a 1cm long metal shard inside a strawberry she had cut up from her sick son. She bought two punnets of Donnybrook from a Mona Vale supermarket via a home delivery service. Police attended the home and seized the fruit for examination.
Maitland
Where: Coles, Green Hills, Mitchell Dr & Molly Morgan Dr, Green Hills NSW 2323
When: Wednesday September 12
Info: The affected family had bought four punnets of Wallace Road Berries with the first three having been consumed without issue. But on Saturday a young girl cut up the last of the strawberries and could not cut through one of the strawberries. Her father discovered the pin and called police who seized it for examination.
Wagga Wagga
Where: Wagga Wagga Public School, 70 Gurwood St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
When: Wednesday September 18
Info: Police have confirmed that another needle was found in a strawberry by a student at Wagga Public School on Wednesday and the needle and punnet was seized for forensic examination.
Inverell
Where: Woolworths, Inverell, 16 Sweaney St, Inverell NSW 2360
When: 2:30pm on Friday September 14
Info: A shopper purchased two punnets of strawberries on Friday. Over the weekend she discovered that berries from one of the punnets were contaminated with needles and alerted the supermarket and police, who seized the punnets for examination.
Guyra
Where: Supermarket on Bradley St, Guyra (There is an IGA at 96 Bradley St, Guyra)
When: 6pm on Friday September 14
Info: A punnet of strawberries was purchased from a supermarket in Bradley St, Guyra about 6pm on Friday. Officers have been told that steel pins were found in two of the strawberries inside a punnet and the fruit was seized by investigators to be examined.
Tweed Heads
Where: unknown
When: unknown
Info: So far, NSW Police Force has received reports of contaminated strawberries purchased at supermarkets at Tweed Heads and Taree
Taree
Where: unknown
When: unknown
Info: So far, NSW Police Force has received reports of contaminated strawberries purchased at supermarkets at Tweed Heads and Taree.
STRAWBERRY CASES IN SCHOOLS
Hazelbrook
Oxford Falls
West Pymble
Clemton Park
East Hills
Hinchinbrook
Campbelltown
MANGO CASES
Where: Coles, West Gosford, West Gosford Shopping Centre, 299 Brisbane Water Dr, West Gosford NSW 2250
When: Wednesday September 19
Info: A Coles customer on the New South Wales Central Coast purchased the mango at Coles on Monday and discovered the needled embedded inside on Wednesday and reported it to Brisbane Water Police Area Command. The needle was seized for forensic examination and no one was injured.
BANANA CASES
Condell Park
Where: Grocery store, Condell Park
When: Monday September 17
Info: NSW Police are investigating a complaint about a needle was allegedly found inside a banana at a grocery store in Condell Park
Newcastle
Where: St Paul’s Primary School, Gateshead, 66 Felton St, Gateshead NSW 2290
When: Wednesday September 19
Info: A student from St Paul’s Gateshead discovered a needle inside a banana inside her lunchbox. Luckily she found it before biting into it and immediately alerted teachers and police were called.
APPLE CASES
Kellyville Ridge/The Ponds
Where: Woolworths, the Ponds, The Ponds Blvd & Riverbank Drive, The Ponds NSW 2769
When: Tuesday September 11
Info: Kellyville Ridge mother Carmella was peeling a pink lady apple for her daughter before her school day when she came across something hard that she thought was the stem.
She discovered a pin inside the apple which had been purchased in six-pack of apples from Woolworths. Woolworths are no longer selling needles in their stores as a result.