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Needles Found in Sausage in Toronto

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

For at least the third time this year, metropolitan police in Canada are investigating reports of food tampering.

The Toronto Police Service is the latest to find itself on the trail of food tamperers. Since earlier in May, Toronto Police investigators have been looking into three separate food tampering incidents involving Piller's Polish Sausage.

In each case, a customer purchased sausage only to find a needle embedded in the meat.   Two packages were purchased at the No Frills store at 372 Pacific Ave, and the third at the store at 2187 Bloor Street West.

In the course of their investigation, Toronto Police this week learned of two more reports.  A patron of the No Frills store at 900 Dufferin purchased Piller's Kielbasa with a needle embedded in it.

A Price Chopper customer at 2440 Dundas Street West purchased Piller's Turkey Kielbasa, and also found a needle in that package.  The latest two purchases were made on May 27.

Police and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are warning the public to check packaging of all food products for signs of tampering.  They said the public should be especially concerned about Polish sausages.

Calgary police were investigating food-tampering cases before the ones in Toronto occurred.

Since April, Calgary police have been investigating separate reports of metal being found in ground beef packages at Buy Low stores.  Customers did not find the metal pins until they got home and were preparing the meat for cooking.

A 43-year old Calgary woman, due back in court June 8, is facing food-tampering charges involving the Oakridge Co-op.  She is facing multiple charges of mischief and trespassing.  She is accused of putting sewing needles and pins in bakery and produce items at the southwest Calgary co-op.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on June 04, 2010 (boomark / email).