Australian state offers reward as strawberries sabotaged with needles

MELBOURNE: The Australian state of Queensland on Saturday offered a A$100,000 ($71,500) reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for sabotaging strawberries with sewing needles. The police have said that six brands of strawberries in Australia are believed to be contaminated with needles and pins, prompting warnings from authorities to slice the fruit before eating. “Someone is trying to sabotage the industry, but also in doing that, they are putting babies’ and children’s and families’ lives at risk,” Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at a press conference, where she confirmed the reward. The Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis brands are believed to be affected, according to the police, who said the contaminated fruit appeared to have originated at a Queensland-based supplier. — Reuters