PUNNETS of strawberries reportedly contaminated with needles have been seized in Guyra and Inverell, as a nation-wide contamination crisis widens.
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New England police were alerted after reports needles were found in the berries purchased on Friday, but only reported to police over the weekend and on Monday.
Police have been told two punnets of the fruit were purchased from Woolworths in Sweaney Street, Inverell, about 2.30pm on Friday.
Over the weekend the purchaser became aware that berries in one of the punnets was contaminated with what was described as a needle, police said.
The supermarket and police were alerted, and as a consequence, investigators have seized the fruit.
On the same day, police have been told of a similar incident in Guyra where a punnet of strawberries was purchased from a supermarket in Bradley Street about 6pm.
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Officers have been told that steel pins were found in two of the strawberries inside a punnet.
The fruit was seized and police are investigating.
Officers are urging anyone who finds contaminated strawberries to contact the store where they were purchased from and local police.
Coles and Aldi supermarkets have pulled all strawberries from their shelves, except Western Australia, as a precaution.
Berry Obsession, Berry Licious and Donnybrook Berries have recalled their strawberries nationwide.
A health warning to throw out or cut up strawberries remains in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
– with AAP