Strawberries with needles found in NZ

Countdown is advising New Zealand customers to cut up strawberries before eating them after needles were found in a punnet of strawberries sourced from Western Australia which was bought in an Auckland supermarket.

The supermarket has withdrawn a brand of Australian strawberries from sale as what it calls a ‘‘precautionary measure’’, Countdown said in a statement.

The Choice brand of strawberries was sold nationwide last week. There have been no reports of any illness or injury here.

The strawberries affected by this withdrawal have not previously had any issues of this nature reported and had not been withdrawn from sale in Australia, according to its statement.

Countdown is in contact with both New Zealand and Australian authorities as they investigate this matter.

Following similar advice from public health authorities in Australia, Kiwi customers should cut up any Australian strawberries before eating them.

Customers can return any Choice brand of strawberries they may have at home to Countdown for a full refund. This does not affect New Zealand strawberries, which are now on store shelves.

Foodstuffs has confirmed the distribution of Australian strawberries in its stores was halted last weekend, a spokeswoman said.

‘‘We do not have Australian product in our stores – Pak ’n Save, New World, Four Square. The New Zealand season is about to start in earnest and local fruit will soon be in store,’’ she said. ‘‘We do not stock Choice strawberries.’’

Meanwhile, the Australian Government is rushing legislation through Parliament to ratchet up the maximum penalties for socalled ‘‘food terrorists’’ from 10 to 15 years behind bars.

A boy has been arrested over behaviour that ‘‘could be called a prank’’, police said. Copycat crimes are suspected.

Investigators believed the original sabotage was confined to three strawberry brands sold in Queensland.