Needle found inside potato purchased in Ottawa
7 similar cases in Maritimes in October sparked recall, RCMP investigation
Ottawa police are investigating after a local resident says he found a small, sharp needle inside a potato, similar to those found in several Maritime provinces.
Police say the needle, which resembles a sewing needle, was found while the man was peeling potatoes at his home. He had purchased the potatoes at a local grocery store, police said.
Police investigators are co-ordinating with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the RCMP during their investigation.
Last month, police reported seven separate cases of Maritime residents finding small, metal sewing needles inside potatoes.
The tampered potatoes originated at Linkletter Farms Ltd., a supplier in Summerside, P.E.I., and they were reportedly sold throughout Atlantic Canada. Tampered potatoes were found in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick.
That sparked a recall of the potatoes and the RCMP began an investigation on Oct. 2. Nobody has been injured in any of the cases.
In addition, staff at the Cavendish Farms plant in New Annan, P.E.I. found sewing needles in some French fries during the production process on Oct 2. The company shut down production as a precaution, but resumed the next day after any suspect potatoes were removed.
Ottawa police are treating this case as an isolated incident.