Needle Found In Australian Strawberries Sold In New Zealand
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published September 23, 2018 | 02:24 PM
Wellington, Sept 23 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2018 ) :The Australian strawberry scare has spread to New Zealand with a supermarket chain announcing Sunday that needles were found in a box of the fruit sourced from the neighbouring country.
The Countdown supermarket chain said it had taken a brand of Australian strawberries off the shelves after a sabotaged punnet -- a plastic box -- was sold in an Auckland store.
The strawberries, from Western Australia state, were sold in Countdown stores nationwide last week and only one incident of tampering was reported.
"We take food safety very seriously," the company said in a statement, adding it was in touch with authorities investigating incidents of needles found in strawberries in Australia in recent weeks.
"Customers can return any Choice brand of strawberries they may have at home to Countdown for peace of mind and a full refund." Countdown advised customers to cut up any Australian strawberries before eating them.
The statement said there have been no reports of any illness or injury in New Zealand.
It added that the brand of strawberries affected by this withdrawal "have not previously had any issues of this nature reported and had not been withdrawn from sale in Australia".
In Australia, more than 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit have been reported since the scare began in Queensland state earlier this month.
Most are thought to be pranks or jokes on social media, but at least two minors have been questioned by police for carrying out hoaxes.
Woolworths Australia, Countdown's parent company, has withdrawn needles from sale as a "precautionary step" as police hunt for the original culprit amid a spate of copycat episodes.
The Australian government last week raised the maximum prison sentence for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI backed SIC nominates Hamid Raza for role of PAC chairman
PM vows to work for country along with students
US ambassador meets Senate Chairman, discusses bilateral ties
UHS to issue MBBS degrees within three months after final result
Aiman Khan granted UAE Golden Visa
PSX achieves significant milestone, surpasses 72,000 mark
Pak Vs NZ T20I: Orphaned children extended special invitation to watch match
Finance Minister lauds UNDP’s unwavering support during floods
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
More Stories From World
-
Thousands in heatwave-hit Bangladesh pray for rain
20 minutes ago -
EU urges probe into reported mass graves at Gaza hospitals
30 minutes ago -
Gucci owner Kering's shares sink after profit warning
31 minutes ago -
Extreme heat scorches Southeast Asia, bringing school closures and warnings
40 minutes ago -
Ambassador Hashmi greets China on Space Day
51 minutes ago -
Mass cancellations loom despite French air union calling off strike
1 hour ago
-
Record-breaking London stocks spearhead global rally
1 hour ago -
'City Hunter' manga hero drops the sexism for new live-action film
1 hour ago -
Russian deputy defence minister held over bribery accusations
1 hour ago -
Danger warning issued for Bangkok as extreme heat bites
2 hours ago -
Iran cuts Syria presence after strikes blamed on Israel: monitor
2 hours ago -
Four injured as escaped army horses bolt through central London
2 hours ago