Needles Find Their Way Into Australian Strawberries—And Shock Consumers!
What the Stein’s Risky Stroll Is About
At the height of the harvest season, a slim thread of chaos is weaving its way through Aussie supermarkets.
Two more states—Western Australia and South Australia—have raised the alarm after local residents spotted tiny metal spikes hiding inside juicy berries. This adds to the earlier scare that rattled Queensland and tops the list of “what not to eat” moments.
Where and How It Happened
- Western Australia: A well‑meaning shopper discovered a needle cemented in a fresh punnet of strawberries. It even made its debut in the sink after wash‑down—no piercing injuries, but a close call for the family.
- South Australia: A young girl spotted a stubborn pin inside a strawberry the same day. The fruit was eaten without incident, but authorities warned everyone to give their berries a quick visual check.
- Queensland: The first to report the threat, Queensland police are still piecing together whether a lone culprit or several pranksters are at play.
How Big the Bite Is
Police have flagged seven different strawberry brands as potentially contaminated. “If the cases are still under investigation, we’re telling folks to slice the fruit before they bite it,” the authorities advise.
Market Mayhem
- Woolworths: Dropped every affected brand from shelves yet continues rolling out other varieties—because hoarding notate you beat the rush for happy fruit.
- New Zealand’s Two Supermarket Giants: In a cautionary pause, both chains halted Australian strawberry orders until they verify safety, even though the Ministry of Primary Industries confirmed no contaminated boxes made it to their shelves.
Economic Ripples and Farmer Fears
With Queensland alone worth over A$130 million annually to strawberry production, the scare could impact the next season’s planting budgets. Scott Adams, head of the Western Australia Strawberry Growers Association, noted that some farms will have to rethink re‑planting if shoppers shy away from the berry business.
Bottom Line for Consumers
Check your punnets and slice the fruit before you pop a berry in your mouth. If you notice any metal—and you’re not stung—let the police know.
Stay Savvy, Stay Safe
Having a bored afternoon in front of the supermarket? Stack that tea scented repellent and keep an eye on the red, squally strawberries. Better safe than a trip to the doctor, right?
