On the one hand people don't want to see good food go to waste and will want to support the growers who may - particularly here - be smaller market gardeners or niche producers less able to withstand the damage, especially if the saga draws on.
On the other hand, customers want to be sure there are no fragments of metal lurking in the fruit.
At this stage we can only imagine to what purpose these acts of sabotage have been carried out. In Australia, a young boy was arrested after admitting to inserting needles in the berries. With more than 100 similar cases reported there, authorities believe copycat offenders are also to blame.
Is the same scenario playing out here?
A youngster may think they are committing a prank, but may be unaware of the ramifications of their actions. The cost to the industry of what amounts to food terrorism is potentially huge.
New Zealand, as a primary producer, is aware of its vulnerability. We have rigorous biosecurity measures, but the battle against pests and diseases which threaten plant and animal health is relentless - as the likes of Mycoplasma bovis, Varroa, PSA and myrtle rust show.
Many taxpayer millions go on education, screening, testing, eradication and management. The cost to the economy in the event of a major crisis is, of course, even greater.
The last thing this country needs, then, is an intentional act of food sabotage. We like to think our food security measures are robust and we can have faith in our products and producers. Indeed, we bank on that to sell our products in other markets.
But, as anywhere, we are vulnerable to individuals who seek to do harm. Not long ago the country was effectively held to ransom just by a threat to contaminate infant milk formula with 1080.
The authorities face a formidable task finding those responsible - potentially on both sides of the Tasman - in this case. It is hoped the culprits can be identified as soon as possible, however, so this frightening episode can be put to rest before more damage is done.
