Health Minister Orders Investigation Into Strawberry Sabotage As Contamination Spreads Across The Country

Food safety watchdog


Article heading image for Health Minister Orders Investigation Into Strawberry Sabotage As Contamination Spreads Across The Country

Investigations are still underway into the strawberry sabotage which has now spread across the border, with an inquest launched to determine how needles are ending up in strawberry punnets.

A New Zealand company has banned Australian fruit after more cases of needles being located in strawberry punnets across the country, with the recall now nationwide.

At the time of writing, five Australian states have reported cases of metal pins in fruit punnets for sale at the supermarket, with concerns that there may be copycats further perpetuating the original contamination.

"We have now tasked the federal agency to investigate whether there are supply chain weaknesses or actions we can take to assist the police - or systemic changes which are required," Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

"I have ordered Food Safety Australia New Zealand to immediately investigate.

"The police have primary responsibility at state level but at the end of the day the job is very, very clear: protect the public and keep them safe."

A health warning to throw out any strawberries you have at home remains in place in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, with authorities advising people who won't throw the food out to cut up the fruit finely before consuming.

 

 

17 September 2018




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