Food tampering warning widens

Pennsylvania State Police say they’ve identified additional food products that a former employee at a Lower Macungie Giant supermarket may have tampered with.

Those additional products include King ’s Hawaiian rolls and Starkist Light Tuna pouches, according to a news release sent Friday evening.

On Thursday, state police announced that a teen employee at the supermarket — located at 7150 Hamilton Blvd. — had allegedly placed sewing needles in some food products.

Giant initially said the affected products included single-serve Tastykakes, fresh bagged green beans, loose sweet yellow and white onions, fresh green asparagus, soft packaged dog food and treats, soft packaged cat food and treats, boxed instant mashed potatoes and cleaning sponge.

In a statement, the supermarket chain said surveillance video showed the employee appearing to insert a needle into at least three food items. The products were then found to contain needles.

The employee, who is a juvenile, has not been identified. State police said charges against him are “forthcoming.”

Anyone who purchased the affected products from the store between April 13 and Wednesday and suspects they may have been tampered with are asked to return those items to the store — for a full refund — and contact the Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville Criminal Investigation Unit at 610-395-1438.

Customers who used a Giant rewards card have been contacted if an item they purchased was among those affected, according to the release.

As a precaution, Giant removed some products from the store’s shelves. The chain notified the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and is cooperating with law enforcement, according to state police.