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$100k reward to catch strawberry saboteur 
Authorities urge all strawberries to be cut after more needles found 0:42
A third brand of strawberries is being pulled from shelves after three more punnets were found to contain sewing needles. Queensland Health says the strawberries are understood to have come from Donnybrook strawberry farms, north of Brisbane. Authorities are now urging Australians in every state to cut all strawberries ensure no sewing needles are ingested.
A “FURIOUS’’ Queensland Premier, has urged the Queensland community to join in the hunt for the strawberry saboteur whose actions are putting the lives of children and babies at serious risk.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said police were hunting around the clock for the person, or persons, responsible for embedding needles inside strawberries.
Police are linking up with the Department of Agriculture and Health as the search also widens into other states.
Speaking at the South West Progress Association’s “Welcoming The Babies Event’’ – an annual event held for 10 years where Ms Palaszczuk greets new babies born in her electorate – Ms Palaszczuk said it was beyond belief that a person would deliberately set out to harm kids and babies.
The Premier said she was well aware of how much her nieces and nephews loves strawberries.
“It is simply unacceptable – I am furious about this,’’ she said.
“I am making a plea to any member of the public – if you have any piece of information please do not hesitate to come forward.’’
Ms Palaszczuk said the police were working night and day around the clock on the matter and linking up with authorities in others states as well as Health and Agriculture departments.
Reward offered in strawberry contamination case1:44
The Queensland Government is now offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest as the contamination of strawberries spreads nationwide. Authorities say that six brands found in major Australian supermarkets have now been contaminated with needles.
“This is a big job, everyone is focused on this,’’ she said.
“I know the police are absolutely focused on finding who is responsible.’’
Ms Palaszczuk said the strawberry industry was worth $160 million to Queensland and urged consumers to continue supporting the growers.
But people should careful to cut up fruit before consuming it or giving it to kids and babies, she said.
Earlier, a $100,000 reward has been posted to catch Queensland’s strawberry spiker, as the food sabotage scandal continues to spread.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stumped up the reward for information leading to the capture of those spiking strawberries with needles.
The reward came as the tampering spread, with up to six brands now affected nationwide.
“They are not only endangering people’s lives, they are threatening an entire industry,” the Premier told The Courier-Mail.
“We’re not going to stand for it. We have to come together.”
A spiked strawberry found by Gladstone woman Angela Stevenson.Source:Supplied
Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young yesterday pulled a third brand, Donnybrook Berries, from the shelves of Coles, Woolworths and other retailers after needles were found in that brand purchased at Redbank Plains, Everton Park and Tweed Heads.
The national supplier has three farms in the Caboolture area, close to the first affected supplier, that of Berry Obsession and Berry Licious strawberries, which have also been recalled.
“This has become bigger, and it’s even more important that people cut strawberries before eating them,” Dr Young said.
The number of reported incidents is increasing, with NSW police suspecting vandals has hit six brands: Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, Love Berry, Donnybrook Berries, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis.
Strawberry punnets at a Sydney supermarket yesterday. Picture: Erik Anderson/AAPSource:AAP
NSW mother Chantal Faugeras posted to Facebook about her young child finding needles in strawberries bought at Coles on Tuesday.
Queensland Health is yet to recall the brand, saying it is assessing reports as they come in.
“When we get three (reports), it suggests there’s something going on that we then need to withdraw that entire product,” Dr Young said.
Acting Chief Superintendent Terry Lawrence said the investigation was complex, and he wouldn’t comment on whether police had any suspects.
Originally published as Premier’s fury over strawberry sabotage
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