Shoppers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland warned to throw out strawberries after needles found

POLICE are searching for a disgruntled ex-employee who is believed to have planted needles inside strawberries that sparked a recall across three states.

A MAJOR search is on for a disgruntled ex-employee who may have deliberately put sewing needles inside a batch of strawberries — sparking a recall across three states.

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association suspects a former staff member is behind the contamination.

“At this time, (we) have reason to suspect that a disgruntled ex-employee may have orchestrated the occurrence, wherein sewing needles were found in a number of strawberries, in Queensland and Victoria,” a statement from the association said.

“To our current knowledge, two labels, Berry Licious and Berry Obsession are the only affected lines.”

While the contamination has only impacted two brands, Queensland chief health officer Jeanette Young on Thursday issued a new warning for anyone who bought strawberries, to cut them up before eating them.

It came after police identified a possible copycat incident in the Queensland town of Gattan, which may mean other brands could be impacted.

Previously she had advised anyone who bought strawberries in Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria since early last week to get rid of them if they were worried and especially if they were not sure what brand they were.

“Definitely those two are the only brands of concern but if people don’t know, and they want to be ultra cautious, then it would be best if they just throw out any strawberries,” Dr Young said.

“A lot of people won’t know the brand of strawberries they’ve bought … if they do have any strawberries it would be safest to dispose of them.”

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There have now been four reported cases of Aussies finding needles inside their strawberries and one horrified mother told Sunrise she discovered the metal implement when she was cutting up fruit for her child.

Queensland mum Angela Stevenson said she cut into metal and then realised she had given her son strawberries for his packed lunch.

She frantically called her son’s school and asked them to throw the fruit away.

Dr Young said she was particularly worried about those who may have frozen the strawberries for use later and may not still have the packaging.

Alternatively, shoppers who had frozen their strawberries could keep them until after police finished their investigation.

Queensland Police suspect the needles were deliberately planted in the punnets “obviously to injure somebody” or with another possible motive.

Strawberries from Berry Obsession and Berry Licious have been contaminated with sewing needles. Source: Queensland Strawberry Growers Association Facebook.

Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Terry Lawrence said there was no evidence of extortion but police inquiries were continuing.

He urged anyone who found a needle in a strawberry to call police on 131 444, particularly if they still had the packaging.

One supplier in southeast Queensland was providing the fruit to three Woolworths supermarkets in Queensland and Victoria where consumers found the needles.

It also supplies to stores in New South Wales.

Dr Young said it was unclear what other stores the producer supplied so that was why a more general warning was being issued.

Victoria Police said what appeared to be sewing needles were located in two punnets in separate regional Victorian towns. One in Yarram and another in the southern Ballarat suburb of Sebastopol.

Full details on the Queensland Police investigation into contaminated #strawberries. https://t.co/y6XjnkYJZE @qldhealthnews #alert pic.twitter.com/YmXu6C4Gnk

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) September 12, 2018

Stores will be throwing out strawberries currently in stock but fresh produce will be available tomorrow, Dr Young said.

“Any strawberries bought from 13 September are safe,” she said.

“Any strawberries that you are certain are not the brands Berry Licious and Berry Obsession, are safe.

“Tomorrow people can go back and buy the strawberries they normally buy, from anywhere.”

Dr Young said the first case emerged on Sunday when a person complained of eating a contaminated strawberry in Queensland. He is the only person believed to have swallowed a needle.

Last night two further incidents emerged in Victoria, prompting an urgent investigation.

A 21-year-old Burpengary man who bit into a strawberry with a needle inside it on Monday told The Courier Mail he ended up in hospital after swallowing part of it.

Needle found in strawberries purchased from Woolworths in north Brisbane. Pic: Supplied.

“When I bit into one I felt like a sharp snap and my knee jerk reaction was to swallow and what was left was half a sewing needle,” he said

“I’m just in shock, you don’t expect that.”

Dr Young said anyone who swallowed a needle could find may get caught up in their stomach.

She advised anyone who believes they may have swallowed a needle to call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or to speak to their GP.

“I love strawberries, there is no reason to stop eating strawberries, we just need to be aware of this incident.”

Queensland Police Service is leading the investigation, with Victoria Police’s Fraud and Extortion Squad detectives assisting.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.