Needles in supermarket food: Probe continues as officials say deliberate food tampering ‘extremely rare’ in NZ

Needles were found in two products at Woolworths Papakura. Photo / file

• An investigation has been launched after needles were found in food products at Woolworths Papakura.
• Police and New Zealand Food Safety are reviewing CCTV footage and have removed the affected products.
• NZFS’s Vincent Arbuckle said deliberate food tampering cases are “extremely rare” in New Zealand.

An investigation has been launched after needles were found in food products at a South Auckland supermarket, but authorities say cases of deliberate tampering with food are “extremely rare” in New Zealand.

Needles were found in two food products at Woolworths Papakura, sparking an investigation by police and New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS).

NZFS’s deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said the matter was being taken seriously, but noted the full facts had not yet been established.

“There are two products subject to complaints. We are not naming the products as inquiries are ongoing and affected product has already been removed from shelves,” Arbuckle said.

“There is no evidence, at this time, that any other products have been implicated. The supermarket is monitoring the store and stock closely. If we had any concerns that there was a wider risk to consumers we would certainly communicate this promptly.”

He said CCTV footage at the store was being reviewed.

“Although we are taking this seriously, cases of deliberate tampering of food are extremely rare in New Zealand.”

A Woolworths spokesperson this morning said the supermarket chain was working closely with NZFS and police, and following their guidance.

“Food safety is our absolute priority at Woolworths New Zealand and we take incidents like this extremely seriously.”

The Woolworths spokesman also didn’t confirm the affected products.

Police confirmed they were making initial inquiries into the matter.

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