Amid the ongoing needle scandal on both sides of the Tasman, New Zealand strawberry growers are urging the public to keep supporting the industry.
With Sunday night's news that a needle was found in a punnet of strawberries purchased from an Auckland Countdown supermarket, the Choice brand has been removed from shelves, following a wave of similar incidents in Australia.
Kiwi growers maintain that their produce is safe for consumption, with just one case of needles being found so far in New Zealand.
Phil Greig says there’s no reason to believe the issue could spread here, and that no needles have been found in NZ fruit.
"I think the main thing is to get out there and eat New Zealand strawberries, we are all doing our best to make it safe," grower Phil Greig told 1 NEWS.
"I do reiterate it is an Australian problem, not a New Zealand problem."
Speaking to 1 NEWS yesterday, MPI director of food regulation Paul Dansted assured Kiwi consumers that the one reported incident was no cause for concern, although insisted vigilance must be maintained against supposed copycats.
"We are just advising consumers to keep an eye out if there is anything out of the ordinary," he said.
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