{"id":218165,"date":"2018-09-13T20:41:18","date_gmt":"2018-09-13T10:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=218165"},"modified":"2018-09-13T20:42:25","modified_gmt":"2018-09-13T10:42:25","slug":"copycat-targets-strawberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/09\/13\/copycat-targets-strawberries\/","title":{"rendered":"Copycat Targets Strawberries"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The thin metal object found in a punnet of strawberries at Gatton (Photo: QPS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 13, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Health authorities are advising people to cut up all strawberries before eating them after a suspected copycat contamination incident.<\/p>\n

Police are making inquiries after a\u00a0thin metal object was found in a punnet of strawberries at a supermarket in Gatton.<\/p>\n

Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Terry Lawrence said this appeared to be a copycat incident, but police would keep an open mind.<\/p>\n

Investigators have also now confirmed a fourth incident related to the original needle scare, which targeted two brands of strawberries: “Berry Obsession” and “Berry Licious”.<\/p>\n

The latest contaminated strawberries were found by a customer in Gladstone.<\/p>\n

Of the four confirmed incidents so far, two each occurred in Queensland and Victoria.<\/p>\n

It is understood the brands were sold in stores in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT.<\/p>\n

Police have liaised with retailers to ensure all stock is removed from sale.<\/p>\n

They are urging anyone who finds strawberries containing needles to contact Policelink for further advice on 13-14-44.<\/p>\n

Queensland\u2019s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said anyone who had Berry Licious or Berry Obsession strawberries at home should not use them. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are in doubt of the brand, throw them out.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor other brands, our advice is all strawberries should be cut up before they are eaten,\u201d Dr Young said.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberries are a great fruit, and people should continue to buy them, but everyone should simply cut them up.\u201d<\/p>\n