Needle found in capsicum bought at Tauranga Countdown over weekend
A stir-fry left a sharp taste in the mouth for one Tauranga couple as they discovered a needle inside a capsicum.
Will Taylor cooked the stir fry for his girlfriend on Sunday using a red capsicum purchased from Countdown Bureta Park the day prior.
Taylor said they inspected the piece of food and discovered a small needle had been inserted into the vegetable.
A Countdown spokeswoman said the store has referred the matter to the New Zealand police who will investigate.
"We take food safety incredibly seriously and will work closely with both the NZ Police and MPI to cooperate fully with their investigation," she said.
The capsicum was not the only fruit purchased last Saturday spiked with needles.
A strawberry was discovered to also contain a needle which was purchased at a FreshChoice supermarket in South Canterbury sparking an investigation from MPI.
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Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
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🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
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🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
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If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
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