Careful when you bite those strawberries! There might be sewing needles embedded inside. And it may not just be strawberries sold at Woolies.
The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association suspects a disgruntled ex-employee was behind the sewing needles found in a number of strawberries sold by Woolworths.
In a statement, the association said it had “reason to suspect” it was a former employee and was waiting on more information from Queensland Police.
Police and Queensland Health have warned consumers to dispose or return punnets of two brands of strawberries — Berry Licious and Berry Obsession — which were sold in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the contaminated brands came from a farm in south-east Queensland, and were sold to Woolworths, but could also have been distributed to other stores.
“If they do have any strawberries it would be safest to dispose of them,” Dr Young said.
She said three incidents have been reported to police, including one in Queensland and two in Victoria.
“One person did consume a contaminated strawberry and they’re being assessed at the moment,” she said.
A Facebook user posted a warning several days ago about a punnet of Berry Obsession strawberries purchased from Woolworths at the Strathpine Centre on Brisbane’s northside, after his friend swallowed “half a sewing needle”.
“We then checked the other strawberries and found another sewing needle lodged inside one of them,” Joshua Gane said.
“We are now at the ER because he subsequently started experiencing severe abdominal pain.”
Mr Gane later said they received a call from the store manager at the Strathpine Centre who said it would be issuing a total recall on all of the punnets.
Police believe that needles were inserted deliberately.
“Customers are advised to return these products to their local Woolworths for a full refund,” the spokesperson said. Ω (SOURCE: ABC News)