AUSTRALIA has ordered an investigation into the discovery of sewing needles hidden in strawberries, amid growing alarm over scares across the country. Contaminated punnets have now been reported in six states and territories. A minister called it a “vicious crime.” One man was taken to hospital after eating a strawberry that held a needle. Several brands have been recalled, while a major New Zealand grocer said that it had stopped selling imported strawberries as a precaution. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt ordered the Food Safety Authority of Australia and New Zealand to investigate the scare. “This is a very vicious crime and it’s a general attack on the public,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said. Local authorities are also investigating, but no suspects have been identified. Cases of fruit tampering were first reported in Queensland last week, before spreading to New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. Growers and police have suggested that some cases may be copycat incidents. The Queensland state government has offered a A$100,000 (US$72,000) reward for information. Yesterday, New Zealand company Foodstuffs — which supplies about half of the country’s supermarkets — said it had stopped importing Australian strawberries due to the scare. (SD-Agencies) |