Australia on high alert after needles found in strawberries

strawberry-needle-australia-fb Image taken from a Facebook post by Joshua Gane

A fruit contamination scare has spread across Australia as needles were found inside strawberries and other fruits since last week, officials said. About 100 people have reported finding needles in fruits.

The Australian government is looking at introducing stricter criminal penalties in response to the incident. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said culprits would face 15-year jail terms. The current maximum punishment for food contamination is 10 years.

The 15-year term will make it on par with crimes such as child pornography and financing terrorism. Even the opposition Labour party is on board with the change.

The PM said the new legislation would also target those behind copycat and hoax incidents, the BBC reported.

"You are putting the livelihoods of hard-working Australians at risk, and you are scaring children," Morrison said. "And you are a coward and a grub," the PM said about the person behind the acts.

Three states have offered A$100,000 rewards for information, as police continue to investigate the cause of the sabotage.

Contaminated berries were reported from six states and territories in Australia. A man was reportedly taken to the hospital after eating a strawberry that had a needle.

The scare has affected several brands with many recalling their produce. At least six brands have been caught up in the scare: Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, Love Berry, Donnybrook Berries, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis.

Grocers in neigbouring New Zealand stopped selling Australian strawberries as a precaution. Some growers destroyed their crops which could lead to massive loss for them.

Exporters have been ordered to check the fruit for possible contamination, including mandatory screening of produce through metal detectors or X-ray machines.

The government has urged consumers to continue purchasing strawberries, but to cut them up before consumption.

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