Jail for strawberry needle culprits
Sydney – Australia yesterday increased the jail term to 15 years for anyone convicted of contaminating foodstuffs as a scare over needles found in strawberries and other fruits gripped the country.
Police are investigating more than 100 reports of sewing needles found in strawberries, which have forced farmers to dump fruit as demand plummets, and cast a shadow over an industry worth A$160 million (R1.6 billion).
Australia’s parliament passed legislation yesterday to increase the maximum prison term to 15 years from 10 years for anyone convicted of tampering with food, in line with offences such as financing terrorism.
It also criminalised hoax claims, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“That’s how seriously I take this,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters.
The legislation was rushed through in less than day as lawmakers try to repair public trust in the strawberry industry.
Strawberry farmers have welcomed the action, saying they faced financial ruin if demand did not recover quickly.
Consumers remained wary, forcing retailers in Australia and New Zealand to pull strawberries from store shelves. Australia supermarket giant Woolworths yesterday also withdrew sewing needles from its shelves.