NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Business

Scott Morrison slams 'cowardly grub' responsible for strawberry contamination and ups jail time

By Stephanie Bedo, Shannon Molloy and Ben Graham
news.com.au·
19 Sep, 2018 10:42 PM7 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Professor of Quality Systems at Massey University talks food terrorism
Professor of Quality Systems at Massey University, Nigel Grigg talks about needles in fruit and sage-guarding against food terrorism. / ZB ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
    • captions off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Text Background
      Caption Area Background
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      Autoplay in
      5
      Disable Autoplay
      Cancel Video
      Professor of Quality Systems at Massey University, Nigel Grigg talks about needles in fruit and sage-guarding against food terrorism. / ZB
      NOW PLAYING • Professor of Quality Systems at Massey University talks food terrorism
      Professor of Quality Systems at Massey University, Nigel Grigg talks about needles in fruit and sage-guarding against food terrorism. / ZB ...

      A 12-year-old has reportedly admitted to inserting needles into strawberries in what police believe to be a copycat prank.

      New South Wales Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Stuart Smith said a child had been caught in recent days but would not release further details.

      The youngster was earlier widely reported to be a boy, but it is understood Smith misspoke in calling the child "he" during a press conference in Sydney.

      The girl placed the needle in a strawberry and showed it to friends at her school in the NSW Blue Mountains, the Daily Telegraph reported. One student told teachers and the police were called. They reportedly interviewed the girl at her home and she eventually confessed.

      "Obviously, in the last few days we found a young person has admitted to a prank, including putting needles in strawberries," the police commissioner told reporters in Sydney.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Smith said the child would be dealt with under the youth cautioning system.

      He said the behaviour could be "called a prank", he said, but warned any copycat cases would be dealt with harshly.

      "What we've seen in the state (of NSW) we believe is the work of copycats and pranksters, we've got to deal with it though, the way we deal with any crime," he said.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      It comes as the Attorney-General said there had now been more than 100 reported cases of sabotage across the country, with the scare emerging in Queensland and spreading to Tasmania and Western Australia.

      It comes as a primary school student in Newcastle today discovered a needle inside a banana that was packed in their lunch box.

      The child, a pupil at St Paul's Primary School, discovered the fruit was contaminated before biting into it and alerted teachers.

      Detectives were sent to the school to investigate the incident and have removed the banana for further tests.

      Discover more

      Business

      Strawberry needle crisis: 'Food terrorism an ever-present threat'

      17 Sep 11:54 PM
      World

      Sabotage: Australian needle crisis spreads to apples

      18 Sep 02:48 AM
      Lifestyle

      Food terrorism: Who are the monsters putting needles in fruit?

      19 Sep 02:40 AM
      Business

      Young boy arrested for putting needles into strawberries

      19 Sep 08:27 AM

      A spokesman for NSW Police said the force would not comment on individual matters and had a "duty of care".

      Two new cases in Tasmania

      Christian Porter the Attorney-General of Australia told 7.30 tonight there have now been more than 100 reported cases of sabotage across the country.

      Tasmania Police are investigating two more claims of contaminated fruit being sold in Woolworths stores in the Hobart area.

      The force received a report of a metal object found in a strawberry at Kingston about 6pm yesterday.

      The 250g punnet of Pinata brand strawberries had been bought from the Kingston Town Woolworths on Sunday.

      Police were called after the metal object, measuring about 2cm long, was allegedly found in a strawberry being eaten by a 2-year-old child.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      "We can't confirm at this stage that the alleged contamination is linked to the Queensland incident but there is no evidence to suggest it is a hoax," Detective Acting Inspector David Richardson said.

      Scomo lashes "grubs"

      It comes as Scott Morrison lashed out at the "grubs" responsible for the country's strawberry contamination crisis, announcing four new penalties and a steep increase in jail time.

      Fruit growers across Australia are reeling from 20 reports of needles found in punnets of berries, with isolated cases of banana and apple sabotage.

      "You are a coward and a grub," Morrison said, addressing the person or persons responsible.

      "It's not a joke. It's not funny. You are putting the livelihoods of hardworking Australians at risk and you are scaring children.

      "If you do that sort of thing in this country, we will come after you and we will throw the book at you."

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Mass harvests of fruit have been dumped as prices plunge, consumer demand evaporates and products are ripped from shelves.

      A police operation involving 100 officers across multiple states is now under way to hunt down those responsible.

      The Prime Minister announced today harsher punishments for anyone convicted of contaminating fruit, as well as classifying new Commonwealth offences relating to sabotage.

      Sweeping reforms will be introduced to Parliament, raising the penalty for tampering from 10 years to 15 years.

      "The other thing we are doing is to create a new offence, which deals with recklessness," Morrison said.

      "Now, any idiot who thinks they can go out into a shopping centre and start sticking pins in fruit and thinks this is some sort of lark … that behaviour is reckless and under the provision we will be seeking to introduce, that would carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison."

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      The Federal Government has also pledged $1 million in support for the industry.

      The contaminated apple with a needle in it discovered in Sydney. Photo / 7 News
      The contaminated apple with a needle in it discovered in Sydney. Photo / 7 News

      Morrison said he has met with strawberry growers, who should be in peak picking season and reaping the benefits of their hard work but instead are facing financial ruin.

      Up to 120 growers in Queensland alone — where the scare originated — have been hit by a slump in demand and a wholesale price collapse of more than 50 per cent.

      Community anger is growing as the needle scare worsens, with reports emerging from all six states and extending to other types of fruit.

      This morning, Today show host Karl Stefanovic said he was "disgusted" by the crisis and implored authorities to come down hard on the culprits.

      He told viewers he was at the "beating heart of this crisis" at the Glasshouse Mountains, north of Brisbane.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Stefanovic said they wanted to visit properties, speak to farmers and find out how difficult things have been for them over the past seven days as they dump perfectly good fruit.

      Crossing live to the studio, he interviewed politicians to ask what was being done to tackle the problem and find and arrest culprits.

      The West Australian government has followed Queensland in offering a $100,000 reward for any information on the tampering.

      Speaking to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Stefanovic told her "we really need to come down hard on anyone who is doing that sort of activity".

      "I can't tell you how disgusted I am, also in the fact that they are fabricating evidence," he said. "There's fabricated fruit out there and people are behind that."

      A strawberry bought from Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers and cut open by the mother of a toddler. Photo / Nine News
      A strawberry bought from Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers and cut open by the mother of a toddler. Photo / Nine News

      The first incident occurred last week, when Brisbane tradesman Hoani Hearne, 21, was taken to hospital after swallowing a needle in a strawberry.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      "I'm just as disgusted as you are," Ms Palaszczuk said. "This copy cat stuff has got to stop as well. The police will find you. They will charge you."

      From 9am on Wednesday, all fresh strawberries being exported from Australia must be metal-contaminant free.

      The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources announced the interim control measure on Tuesday evening in response to the growing situation.

      Fourth-generation farmer Rebecca Scurr shared how metal detectors had been on their farm for four years, and how even growers who weren't the brands implicated had been affected.

      "For the first few days you're shell shocked," she told Stefanovic. "You never really think it will be you and your industry.

      "It took a little while to set in. Now it just plays on everyone's mind. We are a family business and we have got a lot of employees that are absolutely like family.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      "We take it to heart. It's just awful to see strawberries on the front page for such a negative thing."

      Scurr said it was really sad to see these things happening.

      "I guess the message is cut it up, don't cut it out," she said. "There are plenty of family farms here that are still producing and we are not directly linked to these incidents and we absolutely want you to keep buying strawberries."

      Save

        Share this article

      Latest from Business

      Premium
      RetailUpdated

      Global beauty giant boosts NZ operations with new $6m South Auckland distribution centre

      27 Jun 01:11 AM
      Economy

      Consumer confidence rises as lower mortgage rates boost optimism

      27 Jun 12:11 AM
      Premium
      Media Insider

      TVNZ comeback! Paul Henry joins board in major shake-up; Hayley Holt's new move

      27 Jun 12:10 AM

      Audi offers a sporty spin on city driving with the A3 Sportback and S3 Sportback

      sponsored
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Recommended for you
      'Denied a fighting chance': Auckland woman's plea to fund life-saving cancer drug
      Lifestyle

      'Denied a fighting chance': Auckland woman's plea to fund life-saving cancer drug

      27 Jun 01:00 AM
      7 ways to get a feel-good fix of hormone oxytocin
      Lifestyle

      7 ways to get a feel-good fix of hormone oxytocin

      27 Jun 12:59 AM
      Bus carrying 19 students crashes into river, several hospitalised
      World

      Bus carrying 19 students crashes into river, several hospitalised

      27 Jun 12:59 AM
      'Felt like a cyclone': Residents reel as possible tornado hits West Harbour
      New Zealand

      'Felt like a cyclone': Residents reel as possible tornado hits West Harbour

      27 Jun 12:57 AM
      Minister ditches agency's Māori name, forming new group instead of ‘Māori-only one’
      Politics

      Minister ditches agency's Māori name, forming new group instead of ‘Māori-only one’

      27 Jun 12:56 AM

      Latest from Business

      Premium
      Global beauty giant boosts NZ operations with new $6m South Auckland distribution centre

      Global beauty giant boosts NZ operations with new $6m South Auckland distribution centre

      27 Jun 01:11 AM

      L’Oréal’s NZ sales hit $180m in 2024, commanding 26% of the beauty market.

      Consumer confidence rises as lower mortgage rates boost optimism

      Consumer confidence rises as lower mortgage rates boost optimism

      27 Jun 12:11 AM
      Premium
      TVNZ comeback! Paul Henry joins board in major shake-up; Hayley Holt's new move

      TVNZ comeback! Paul Henry joins board in major shake-up; Hayley Holt's new move

      27 Jun 12:10 AM
      Former CFO of failed insurer CBL to pay $1.2m for continuous disclosure breaches

      Former CFO of failed insurer CBL to pay $1.2m for continuous disclosure breaches

      26 Jun 11:50 PM
      Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
      sponsored

      Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

      NZ Herald
      • About NZ Herald
      • Meet the journalists
      • Newsletters
      • Classifieds
      • Help & support
      • Contact us
      • House rules
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of use
      • Competition terms & conditions
      • Our use of AI
      Subscriber Services
      • NZ Herald e-editions
      • Daily puzzles & quizzes
      • Manage your digital subscription
      • Manage your print subscription
      • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
      • Subscribe to Herald Premium
      • Gift a subscription
      • Subscriber FAQs
      • Subscription terms & conditions
      • Promotions and subscriber benefits
      NZME Network
      • The New Zealand Herald
      • The Northland Age
      • The Northern Advocate
      • Waikato Herald
      • Bay of Plenty Times
      • Rotorua Daily Post
      • Hawke's Bay Today
      • Whanganui Chronicle
      • Viva
      • NZ Listener
      • Newstalk ZB
      • BusinessDesk
      • OneRoof
      • Driven Car Guide
      • iHeart Radio
      • Restaurant Hub
      NZME
      • About NZME
      • NZME careers
      • Advertise with NZME
      • Digital self-service advertising
      • Book your classified ad
      • Photo sales
      • NZME Events
      • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
      TOP
      search by queryly Advanced Search