‘Metal object’ found in banana in QLD following strawberry contamination scare

Following the strawberry contamination that has been scaring Australia today, another fruit has been found with a “metal object” in it. A manhunt is underway for the person responsible for an isolated banana contamination in Queensland.

Maryborough police is investigating an alleged contamination of a banana within a local supermarket. The incident is being treated as isolated without any links to other food contamination investigations, including the recent strawberry contamination. No other details were provided.

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has offered a $100,000 reward for anyone with information that would lead to the capture of the culprit or culprits.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has said that although the banana contamination incident was not connected to other investigations, it appeared to be a “copycat thing.”

Strawberry contamination

It comes just a few days after six brands of packed strawberries were pulled from supermarket shelves across Australia. Last week, a number of strawberry packages from two brands of strawberries — Berry Licious and Berry Obsessions — sold in Victoria, Queensland and NSW were found to have sewing needles inserted in them. Woolworths has since pulled them from the shelves.

A couple of days later, four more brands were said to be affected, with the contamination spreading to ACT and SA. The four brands were Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis.

On Sunday, a mother from Tasmania said her daughter had discovered a needle inside her strawberry after biting into it. She said she purchased the product, which was a Pinata brand, from Woolworths at Rosny Park on Sunday. She had been contacted by police, which is investigating with Public Health Tasmania, the Examiner reports.

She also posted a photo of the strawberry with the needle on social media, but she has since taken it down after receiving suggestions that she made the claims up.

However, detective acting inspector David Richardson said there was nothing that suggested that it was a hoax. But again, they haven’t ruled it out yet as well.