Needle found in mango bought at Coles West Gosford
CENTRAL Coast residents are being warned to check their fruit, after a needle was discovered in a mango bought from Coles, West Gosford.
Central Coast
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A COLES West Gosford customer was shocked to find a needle in their mango.
The customer reported the discovery to Brisbane Water Local Area Command yesterday.
“The customer purchased the mango at Coles West Gosford on Monday,” Chief Inspector Nigel Webber said.
“They had it for two days and later discovered, while cutting it up, a small needle.
“Police have seized the needle for forensic examination. No persons were injured.”
He said investigations into the matter were continuing.
Coles Supermarkets said it wouldn’t comment on the incident because it was an active police matter.
“We take food safety seriously and this matter is being investigated,” a Coles spokesperson said.
Health authorities have advised people to cut their fruit before they consume it.
Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said the Federal Government has proposed harsher penalties for food tampering.
“The government’s action today is taking important steps to make sure that families have certainty that the food they are providing is safe,” she said in Parliament today.
“The last thing that any of us want is to have our child enjoying a strawberry only to find a needle or other dangerous object there. This shouldn’t be something that we are ever worried about.”
Mrs Wicks has encouraged the Coast community to buy a box of strawberries.
“Continue to enjoy them but do make sure that you cut them up and inspect them first,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people share their own strawberry stories and recipes on social media because I know how much our community wants to back our farmers and support them by cutting up our strawberries and not cutting our farmers out.”