LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A teen employee at a Pennsylvania grocery store is accused of inserting sewing needles into food items that were discovered and returned by shoppers, authorities said.
According to a news release on Thursday from the Pennsylvania State Police, the needles were found in food items at a Giant supermarket in Lehigh County, located in Lower Macungie Township.
An investigation by troopers determined that the employee placed the needles into bagged vegetables and individual Tastykake packages, WCAU-TV reported. On Friday, police said that needles were also found in King Hawaiian Bread Rolls and StarKist Light Tuna Large pouches that are larger than 2.6 ounces, according to LehighValleyNews.com.
State police advised consumers to check any items bought on between April 14 and April 19, according to the news release.
Customers who used a Giant rewards card that is on file have been contacted if any item they purchased was possibly affected, The Morning Call reported.
Police added that the juvenile has been identified and that charges are “forthcoming.”
Giants spokesperson Ashley Flower, in an emailed statement to LehighValleyNews.com, said that, “based on an internal investigation and surveillance video, an employee -- now former employee -- appeared to insert a sewing needle into at least three known food items, which were found to have sewing needles.”
“The safety of our customers is Giant’s top priority,” the company said in a statement, according to WCAU. “Out of an abundance of caution, the company has removed some products from shelves at its Trexlertown store. The categories believed to be affected include: Single serve Tastykakes, fresh bagged green beans, loose sweet yellow and white onions, fresh green asparagus, soft packaged dog food and treats, soft packaged cat food and treats, instant mashed potatoes (boxed) and cleaning sponges.”
No other stores were involved in the food tampering, Giant officials told WCAU.