It started as what appeared to be an isolated incident in Queensland when sewing needles were found in strawberries.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The offending brands were recalled and the public thought that was the end of it.
But over the past week, more incidents in more brands of strawberries have been reported, including one terrifying find in a Yanco Public School student’s lunchbox.
These are not naturally-grown sewing needles.
They are not sprouting from nature and coincidentally ending up in our fruit.
These are thought to be deliberately placed in fruit intended for consumption by the masses.
And now there are reports that needles have been found in apples and bananas in what appears to be copycat acts.
Police said they are taking the offences very seriously and those who are found guilty will face a hefty punishment.
Police are unclear of the offenders’ motives and it really is quite baffling as to what possesses someone to do this.
That it’s come to the point of a cash reward being offered to help flush out the culprit behind the dangerous contamination is not something that would even have come to mind when pondering predictions for 2018.
It affects consumers, who are now saying they are too scared to buy the fruit out of fear that family members, especially children, could be harmed.
It affects farmers, growers, packers and distributors.
Their jobs are on the line if they cannot commence selling the fruit again soon.
Strawberries have been removed from supermarket shelves and truckloads of the sweet fruit have been dumped because they cannot be sold.
The country has been split in two, with the camp divided between those who refuse to buy the fruit until the crisis is over and those encouraging people to still support the farmers but to be vigilant when preparing the fruit to eat.
During an already difficult time for farmers, consumers are being encouraged to continue their support for them while still being mindful of their own safety.
Extra safety precautions, such as cutting up fruit to check it thoroughly before consuming it, are being urged.
It would be a shame to see the acts of a reckless few spoil an entire industry but the safety concerns are real.
