Metal found in strawberry on Sydney’s northern beaches

A PIECE of metal has been found in a strawberry bought on Sydney’s northern beaches with police investigating.

A needle discovered in a strawberry bought in regional Queensland last week. Picture: Facebook

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.

A mother told police she discovered a 1cm long metal shard metal as she cut up the fruit for her sick son.

A needle was allegedly found in strawberries purchased from a supermarket on Brisbane’s northside.

The woman bought two punnets of the strawberries, with the Donnybrook brand name, from the supermarket via a home delivery service on Wednesday last week. She discovered the metal on Friday.

The Donnybrook brand is one that has been recalled.

“The metal has been taken for forensic examination,” a Northern Beaches Police Area Command spokeswoman said.

Contaminated strawberries have been found in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania as well as NSW, two in Sydney — Engadine and Mona Vale.

A safety pin found in a strawberry in at Foodland store in Jamestown, South Australia.

Consumers have been warned to first cut strawberries into small pieces before eating them and to report immediately to police any contamination.

Six brands of strawberries are now believed to be affected by needle and pin contamination according to police, including Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries, Oasis brands, Berry Obsession and Berry Licious.

Last week Coles and Aldi announced they would remove all strawberries from their stores.

The Queensland government is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.