Strawberry contamination accused granted bail

  • 22/11/2018

The woman accused of putting needles in strawberries prompting a nationwide food scare across Australia has been granted bail. 

My Ut Trinh, 50, was arrested earlier in November and charged with seven counts of contamination of goods with intent to cause economic loss.

Trinh, a former strawberry farm worker, appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday and was granted bail, ABC News reports. 

Police conducted a major investigation into the crisis. They were led to Trinh after her DNA was found on a needle in a strawberry punnet in Victoria. 

The public was first notified about the contamination on September 12.

Throughout September needles were found in Australian strawberries, including in an Auckland supermarket.

In the wake of the needle crisis, Foodstuffs NZ made the decision to halt the distribution of Australian strawberries in all their stores including New World, Pak'nSave and Four Square.

Countdown said that strawberries grown in New Zealand had not been affected, but it was in contact with New Zealand and Australian authorities.

Following the strawberry scare, needles were also found in bananas and apples in Australia.

Trinh's case will appear before the court again on December 17. 

Newshub.