Australia Issues Warning About Needles Found in Strawberry Packages

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that reports of sewing needles found in supermarket strawberries are comparable to terrorism and called for a 15-year prison sentence for those responsible for these attacks. Morrison urged the public to help farmers by baking strawberry cakes over the weekend. He also called for changes to laws and increased penalties. Morrison stated, "We are not joking, and this cannot happen in our country." He described those who inserted needles and pins into strawberries and other fruits as "a bunch of mercenaries and cowards" and asked the Australian Parliament to increase the prison sentence for these actions from 10 to 15 years. He said this change in the law means that "this crime is on par with child pornography and financing terrorism. I take this crime that seriously." The fear of needles in Australian strawberries has led some supermarkets to stop ordering and selling the fruit. Even in New Zealand, some stores have banned the sale of Australian strawberries. Due to the drop in prices and sales of this fruit in recent days, farmers have been forced to throw away strawberries and lay off workers from these farms. In a televised speech to the Australian people, Morrison said, "Buy strawberries like before, but take necessary precautions when consuming them." He added, "Bake cakes over the weekend and put strawberries on top," and later in a video message, he mentioned that his wife would do the same at home. According to Agence France-Presse, responsible authorities in Australia have advised people to cut strawberries into pieces before eating them. Police said on Tuesday that the motive behind these attacks remains unclear and they are still investigating to find those responsible. The police have asked the public to assist in the investigation and a cash reward is set to increase for help in solving this case. Officials have also announced that the majority of the 100 reported cases of needles in supermarket strawberries were fake, and those spreading fake news and harmful jokes on social media have been warned that they could face prosecution and even imprisonment. The police also stated that so far, a teenager has confessed to inserting needles into strawberries as a prank and that this individual will be dealt with according to youth warning laws.