2018 Australian strawberry contamination

On 9 September 2018, several days prior to any official announcement of contamination, a Facebook user posted a warning about Berry Obsession strawberries purchased from Woolworths Strathpine Centre in Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane. The user reported that his friend had swallowed part of a needle and was in the emergency department at hospital. A second victim had called Woolworths on 11 September. The affected strawberries were not withdrawn and the contamination was not first publicly reported until 12 September. In the following days, dozens of contaminated punnets of strawberries grown in Queensland and Western Australia were discovered in NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/annastacia-palaszczuk-pledges-1m-for-strawberry-growers-as-vision-emerges-of-dumped-berries/news-story/cabbecbb53cbd3c71d5d1edb5eb857c1|title=Student 'lies' about strawberry injury as Annastacia Palaszczuk promises $1m for growers|last1=Owens|first1=Jared|last2=McKenna|first2=Michael|date=18 September 2018|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-09-18|url-access=subscription |last3=Taylor|first3=Paige}}

Some cases are believed to be hoaxes. A South Australian man was arrested on 21 September after faking a contamination,{{Cite web |last=Henson |first=Elizabeth |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Adelaide man charged over strawberry contamination claim |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/adelaide-man-charged-over-strawberry-contamination-claim/news-story/07df1a7705958e2850df4ea663212ccc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925035226/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/adelaide-man-charged-over-strawberry-contamination-claim/news-story/07df1a7705958e2850df4ea663212ccc |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=2018-09-21 |website=The Advertiser}} and faced court in November 2018.{{cite news |last=Opie |first=Rebecca |date=24 October 2018 |title=Adelaide man stands by needle in strawberry claim |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/sa-man-in-court-over-false-strawberry-needle-report/10423036 |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034315/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/strawberry-needle-scare-sa-man-denies-making-false-report/10423036 |archive-date=9 November 2020}}

By 16 September 2018, the following brands had been identified by authorities as being involved in the contamination:{{cn|date=October 2023}}

Strawberries grown in Queensland:

• Donnybrook Berries
• Love Berry
• Delightful Strawberries
• Oasis brands
• Berry Obsession
• Berry Licious

Strawberries grown in Western Australia:

• Mal's Black Label
• Australian Choice

Police and state health authorities recommended consumers either dispose of affected brands or return them to the place of purchase. They also recommended consumers cut up other brands before eating. Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young stated that "If they do have any strawberries it would be safest to dispose of them."

Both Coles and Aldi removed all strawberries from their shelves, but planned to restock after 18 September. Woolworths had removed affected brands only.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-fund-set-up-for-farmers-qld-premier-says/10262804|title=Strawberry growers plead for common sense, accuse authorities of mishandling issue|last=Bavas|first=Josh|date=2018-09-18|work=ABC News|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918163445/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-fund-set-up-for-farmers-qld-premier-says/10262804|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=live}} Woolworths later removed sewing needles from sale as a temporary measure.{{cite news |last=Carlyon |first=Peta |date=20 September 2018 |title=Woolworths to stop selling sewing needles amid fruit contamination scare |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-20/woolworths-dumps-needle-sales-due-to-fruit-contamination/10285368 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921022150/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-20/woolworths-dumps-needle-sales-due-to-fruit-contamination/10285368 |archive-date=2018-09-21}} On 23 September, needles were found in "Australian Choice" brand strawberries sold in Auckland, New Zealand.{{cite news |title=Australian strawberries pulled from New Zealand shelves after needles found |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/23/australian-strawberries-pulled-from-new-zealand-shelves-after-needles-found |work=the Guardian |date=23 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=2018-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923105125/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/23/australian-strawberries-pulled-from-new-zealand-shelves-after-needles-found |archive-date=2018-09-23 |url-status=live }}

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association initially stated they had "reason to suspect" a "disgruntled" former packing employee was responsible for the contamination.{{cite news |last1=Vujkovic |first1=Melanie |last2=Horn |first2=Allyson |date=13 September 2018 |title=Strawberry recall: Disgruntled ex-employee believed to be behind sewing needles in strawberries |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-12/strawberry-investigation-after-sewing-needles-found-inside/10237954 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915153134/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-12/strawberry-investigation-after-sewing-needles-found-inside/10237954 |archive-date=2018-09-15 |url-status=live }} Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Terry Lawrence subsequently cast doubt upon that theory, stating "This was an earlier comment by the Strawberry Growers Association, it's something we don't subscribe to".{{cite news |author= |title=Strawberry contamination prompts $100,000 reward in search for culprit |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-15/strawberry-contamination-prompts-100000-reward/10250876 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=13 September 2018 |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915143939/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-15/strawberry-contamination-prompts-100000-reward/10250876 |archive-date=2018-09-15 |url-status=live }} Adrian Schultz, the vice-president of the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association described the contamination as an act of "commercial terrorism".{{cite news |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |date=17 September 2018 |title=Strawberry needle sabotage scare spreads to all six Australian states |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/17/australian-police-say-needle-found-in-banana-as-strawberry-sabotage-spreads |work=The Guardian |location=Sydney |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917171250/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/17/australian-police-say-needle-found-in-banana-as-strawberry-sabotage-spreads |archive-date=2018-09-17 |url-status=live }} Tony Holl, a strawberry grower from Western Australia told the ABC that he believed someone had a "vendetta" against the strawberry industry, suggesting otherwise the contamination could be a "terrorist act".{{cite news |last1=Weber |first1=David |last2=Prendergast |first2=Jo |date=17 September 2018 |title=Strawberry needle scare: Growers to look to metal detectors to contain contamination crisis |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/wa-drawn-into-strawberry-contamination-scare/10254746 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040420/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-17/wa-drawn-into-strawberry-contamination-scare/10254746 |url-status=live }}

The ABC reported on Thursday that "Police believe they have contained the threat and assured consumers would be able to safely buy strawberries again from Thursday, when stock is replaced."

As of 19 September, Queensland Police had more than 100 officers, including 60 detectives, working on the investigation into the contamination.{{cite news |last=Caldwell |first=Felicity |date=19 September 2018 |title=Strawberry copycats are wasting police time, said Queensland Premier |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/strawberry-copycats-are-wasting-police-time-says-queensland-premier-20180919-p504ms.html |work=Brisbane Times |location=Brisbane |access-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235049/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/strawberry-copycats-are-wasting-police-time-says-queensland-premier-20180919-p504ms.html |archive-date=2018-09-23 |url-status=live }} However, by 15 October Queensland Police scaled this back to one full-time detective amid a lack of clear leads.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/queensland-police-scale-back-strawberry-probe-to-one-full-time-detective-20181015-p509ti.html|title=Queensland police scale back strawberry probe to one full-time detective|first=Mark|last=Solomons|date=15 October 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929175739/https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/queensland-police-scale-back-strawberry-probe-to-one-full-time-detective-20181015-p509ti.html|url-status=live}}

On 15 September 2018, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the sabotage.{{cite news |last=Crockford |first=Toby |date=15 September 2018 |title=Queensland Premier puts $100,000 bounty on strawberry saboteur |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-premier-puts-100-000-bounty-on-strawberry-saboteur-20180915-p503y4.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915054601/https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-premier-puts-100-000-bounty-on-strawberry-saboteur-20180915-p503y4.html |archive-date=2018-09-15 |url-status=live }} On 18 September, Palaszczuk announced a $1 million assistance package for the strawberry industry in the state, telling State Parliament that "This past week, Queensland has been the victim of an ugly, calculated and despicable crime."{{cite news |author= |title=Govt funding for Qld strawberry industry |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/09/18/17/21/govt-funding-for-qld-strawberry-industry |work=Nine News |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918103823/https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/09/18/17/21/govt-funding-for-qld-strawberry-industry |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/9/18/palaszczuk-government-commits-1-million-to-strawberry-farmers|title=Palaszczuk Government commits $1 million to strawberry farmers|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918160841/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/9/18/palaszczuk-government-commits-1-million-to-strawberry-farmers|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=live}} Also on 18 September, Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution.{{cite news |last=Colvin |first=Ali |date=18 September 2018 |title=Strawberry needle scare: WA Government offers $100k reward for information |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-needle-scare-contamination-reward-western-australia/10264502 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918163507/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-needle-scare-contamination-reward-western-australia/10264502 |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}

The two largest food retailers in New Zealand, Woolworths NZ and Foodstuffs announced they would be removing Australian-grown strawberries from their shelves.{{cite news |author= |title='Commercial terrorism' has brought strawberry industry to its knees - NZ supermarket chains stop Aussie imports over needle concerns |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/commercial-terrorism-has-brought-strawberry-industry-its-knees-nz-supermarket-chains-stop-aussie-imports-over-needle-concerns |work=TVNZ |date=17 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917224630/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/commercial-terrorism-has-brought-strawberry-industry-its-knees-nz-supermarket-chains-stop-aussie-imports-over-needle-concerns |archive-date=2018-09-17 |url-status=live }}

On 18 September 2018, Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Regional Services, issued a media statement, describing the contamination as "deliberate sabotage" and urging consumers to "exercise caution and cut up their fruit before consumption."{{cite web|url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2018-mckenzie062.htm|title=Media Statement – Strawberries|first=McKenzie, Bridget. Minister for Regional Services. Minister for|last=Sport.|website=www.health.gov.au|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918091018/http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2018-mckenzie062.htm|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=dead}}

As of 17 September 2018, a consumer-level food recall of any affected brands had yet to be issued. Instead, only a "trade recall" had been issued. Food Standards Australia New Zealand describes a trade recall as a recall "conducted when the food has not been sold directly to consumers. It involves recovery of the product from distribution centres and wholesalers".{{cite web|url=http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/pages/whatisafoodrecall.aspx|title=What is a food recall|website=www.foodstandards.gov.au|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916235806/http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/pages/whatisafoodrecall.aspx|archive-date=2018-09-16|url-status=live}} Professor Melissa Fitzgerald, a food safety expert at the University of Queensland, told the ABC she was "surprised" there had not been a consumer-level recall given the products had been sold to individual customers. The recall was not mentioned on supermarket or government food safety websites—something Professor Fitzgerald would have expected. Professor Fitzgerald said "I would expect people to go to the websites for information...People may be quite surprised not to find any information on the websites where they normally would." Professor Fitzgerald criticised the delay between the first incident on 9 September and the public warning on 12 September.{{cite news |last=Gartry |first=Laura |date=14 September 2018 |title=Needles in strawberries: Food expert says Government's recall response not appropriate |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-14/safety-response-to-strawberry-tampered-with-needles-not-enough/10242700 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915165336/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-14/safety-response-to-strawberry-tampered-with-needles-not-enough/10242700 |archive-date=2018-09-15 |url-status=live }}

Queensland Strawberry Industry Development Officer Jennifer Rowling accused "some authoritative spokespeople" of mishandling the response to the incident. She also criticised a "sometimes hysterical media" and accused them of costing agricultural businesses millions of dollars. Rowling insisted only three brands had been affected and said "All other reported cases have either been copycats or unsubstantiated claims."{{cite news |last=Bavas |first=Josh |date=18 September 2018 |title=Strawberry needle tampering crisis: Queensland growers call for 'calm and common sense' |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-fund-set-up-for-farmers-qld-premier-says/10262804 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918163445/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/strawberry-fund-set-up-for-farmers-qld-premier-says/10262804 |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}

On 15 September, Suncoast Harvest farm of the Sunshine Coast announced on Facebook{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thesuncoastharvest/posts/444593375947193?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAxnBa6hBvO2KaTpeAKgo3xr0cUeYOwC8m6D9hJMqBleAAcnWKxJ1OBX3BEkmEXIuF805LYTaPDc8fdcq7C-tVDD3_JCpy1sSHzMzc3rW1WmcTyj9WaID1yD1NARurwn5qFv8kID1xIitBkxrKWk_XE3GYGum0DT5fRM6dfg226yv9ObEVu&__tn__=-R|title=Suncoast Harvest|date=15 September 2018|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-18|archive-date=2018-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002043104/https://www.facebook.com/thesuncoastharvest/posts/444593375947193?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAxnBa6hBvO2KaTpeAKgo3xr0cUeYOwC8m6D9hJMqBleAAcnWKxJ1OBX3BEkmEXIuF805LYTaPDc8fdcq7C-tVDD3_JCpy1sSHzMzc3rW1WmcTyj9WaID1yD1NARurwn5qFv8kID1xIitBkxrKWk_XE3GYGum0DT5fRM6dfg226yv9ObEVu&__tn__=-R|url-status=live}} that they were ceasing growing strawberries for the remainder of the year, resulting in job losses for 100 workers.{{Cite news |last=Barnham |first=Sarah |date=19 September 2018 |title=Strawberry recall: 100 jobless as Sunshine Coast business shuts down |page= |work=Courier Mail |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/strawberry-recall-100-jobless-as-sunshine-coast-business-shuts-down/news-story/b979c8a0485956b31c040bb63a8a368a?amp&nk=240a60790947f025c1ee2fca18ebae41-1691428074}} Some growers started ordering and installing metal detectors to protect their strawberries from contamination.

Some farms had to dispose of strawberries in response to the crisis. Donnybrook Berries of Queensland, one of the brands affected, dumped truckloads of berries, sharing the resulting video footage which went viral with over a million views in a day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/strawberry-queensland-waste-video/|title=Video Of QLD Berry Farmer's Tragic Wastage Goes Viral As Scandal Continues|last=Adams|first=David|date=2018-09-18|work=Pedestrian TV|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193936/https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/strawberry-queensland-waste-video/|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=live}} One Queensland farm burned off 500,000 strawberry plants deemed unsellable, as it was cheaper than harvesting.{{Cite news|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/drastic-new-measures-strawberry-farmers-taking-ensure-fruit-safe-221920114.html|title=Farmers' drastic new plan to find needles in sabotaged strawberries|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918004305/https://au.news.yahoo.com/drastic-new-measures-strawberry-farmers-taking-ensure-fruit-safe-221920114.html|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=live}}

On 11 November 2018, My Ut Trinh, a 50-year-old farm supervisor, from Caboolture, was arrested in Brisbane and charged with seven counts of contaminating goods, relating to one of the initial cases of contamination involving the Berry Licious brand.{{cite news |author= |title=Strawberry needle contamination scare: Queensland woman charged after months-long investigation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-11/strawberry-needle-scare-woman-arrested-in-queensland/10486418 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=11 November 2018 |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-date=11 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111182436/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-11/strawberry-needle-scare-woman-arrested-in-queensland/10486418 |url-status=live }} Ms Trinh worked at the Berrylicious/Berry Obsession fruit farm north of Brisbane as a picking supervisor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/strawberry-needles-accused-my-ut-trinh-acted-in-spite-court-hears/news-story/d4350b399c0f5f606cdc86cb5449a917|title=Strawberry needles accused My Ut Trinh 'acted in spite', court hears|last=Peel|first=Charlie|date=13 November 2018|website=The Australian|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=15 November 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/police-arrest-woman-over-strawberry-contamination/news-story/fbe4e890572060b129c6c100a2fcca62|title=Strawberry accused motivated by 'revenge'|work=NewsComAu|access-date=2018-11-15|archive-date=2018-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114214105/https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/police-arrest-woman-over-strawberry-contamination/news-story/fbe4e890572060b129c6c100a2fcca62|url-status=live}}

Shortly before the trial on 14 July 2021, charges against My Ut Trinh were dropped, as the prosecution deemed a conviction unlikely.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-14/strawberries-needles-2018-charges-dropped-brisbane-court-trinh/100291750|website=ABC News|author=Talissa Siganto|access-date=15 July 2021|title=Woman accused of putting needles in strawberries has charges dropped in Brisbane court|archive-date=2021-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714182515/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-14/strawberries-needles-2018-charges-dropped-brisbane-court-trinh/100291750|url-status=live}}

On 17 September 2018, a 62-year-old woman suffering from a mental illness was cautioned after she allegedly contaminated a banana with a metal object at a supermarket in Maryborough, Queensland. Queensland Police stated the incident was not linked to the contamination crisis.{{cite news |last=Bedo |first=Stephanie |date=17 September 2018 |title=Metal allegedly found in banana an 'isolated' incident |url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/police-investigating-after-metal-object-found-in-a/3523580/ |work=Sunshine Coast Daily |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918092534/https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/police-investigating-after-metal-object-found-in-a/3523580/ |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}

On 18 September, New South Wales Police announced needles had been discovered in bananas and apples in two separate incidents in the Sydney area. Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty reminded the public of the importance to report incidents of contamination and "to be vigilant and exercise caution when buying strawberries and other fruit in NSW." Doherty confirmed police were investigating "more than 20 incidents in New South Wales, but nationally, the number is much higher."{{cite news |author= |title=Police confirm 'isolated' incidents of apple and banana contamination |url=https://www.9news.com.au/2018/09/18/14/39/strawberries-contamination-crisis-apple-and-banana-cases-found-nsw |work=Nine News |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918083712/https://www.9news.com.au/2018/09/18/14/39/strawberries-contamination-crisis-apple-and-banana-cases-found-nsw |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }} The apple was part of a pack of six, purchased from a Woolworths at The Ponds.{{cite news |last=Reddie |first=Mark |date=18 September 2018 |title=Shopper claims she found needle in apple from Sydney supermarket |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/claims-needle-found-inside-apple-sold-at-sydney-woolworths/10264396 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918163319/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/claims-needle-found-inside-apple-sold-at-sydney-woolworths/10264396 |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}

On 20 September, New South Wales Police reported that a young boy had been arrested after admitting to hiding sewing needles in strawberries as part of what police consider to be "a prank".{{cite web |last1=Osborne |first1=Samuel |date=19 September 2018 |title=Strawberry needle contamination: Young boy arrested after admitting to spiking Australian fruit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australia-strawberries-needles-recalled-boy-arrested-needle-latest-update-a8544561.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919150156/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australia-strawberries-needles-recalled-boy-arrested-needle-latest-update-a8544561.html |archive-date=2018-09-19 |access-date=20 September 2018 |website=The Independent}} The current penalty in New South Wales for the deliberate contamination of food is up to 10 years in jail; however, Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, had stated that "the government plans to increase the maximum jail term to 15 years.

Also on 20 September, a customer in West Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast discovered a needle inside a mango.{{Cite news |last1=McKirdy |first1=Euan |last2=Westcott |first2=Ben |last3=Cullen |first3=Simon |title=Needle found in mango in latest chapter of Australia fruit crisis |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/19/australia/australia-strawberry-sabotage-needles-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=2018-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008215657/https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/19/australia/australia-strawberry-sabotage-needles-intl/index.html |archive-date=2018-10-08}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/food/strawberry-needle-crisis-needle-found-in-coles-mango-by-customer-ng-b88967084z|title=Needle found in Coles mango|date=2018-09-20|work=PerthNow|access-date=2018-10-08|language=en-GB|archive-date=2018-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009013131/https://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/food/strawberry-needle-crisis-needle-found-in-coles-mango-by-customer-ng-b88967084z|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Wolfe |first=Natalie |last2=Graham |first2=Ben |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Woolworths stepping up attempts to stop strawberry sabotage in its stores |work=NewsComAu |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/food-warnings/woolworths-stepping-up-attempts-to-stop-strawberry-sabotage-in-its-stores/news-story/2c99763b8f769c1b7b74aa04d2c99336 |url-status=live |access-date=2018-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007222344/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/food-warnings/woolworths-stepping-up-attempts-to-stop-strawberry-sabotage-in-its-stores/news-story/2c99763b8f769c1b7b74aa04d2c99336 |archive-date=2018-10-07}}

In the wake of the needle crisis, Foodstuffs NZ made the decision to halt the distribution of Australian strawberries in all their New Zealand stores including New World, Pak'nSave, and Four Square. Countdown said that strawberries grown in New Zealand had not been affected, but it was in contact with New Zealand and Australian authorities.{{Cite news |last=Ensor |first=Jamie |date=2018-11-11 |title=50 year old woman arrested over strawberry needle contamination |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/11/50yo-woman-arrested-for-strawberry-needle-contamination.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2018-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121022121/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/11/50yo-woman-arrested-for-strawberry-needle-contamination.html |archive-date=2018-11-21}}

• Food safety in Australia

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian strawberry contamination, 2018}}

Strawberry contamination

Category:2018 scandals

Category:Controversies in Australia

Category:Food safety in Australia

Category:Food safety scandals

Category:September 2018 crimes in Oceania

Category:September 2018 in Australia

Category:Strawberries