Police are treating a case of tainted meat at a No Frills supermarket in Guelph, Ont. as a criminal investigation after authorities found sewing needles inside 17 deli packages.
Staff at No Frills reported the incident to police Wednesday morning after a customer returned a product that was tampered with.
Further investigation found that identical 50mm sewing needles were inserted inside the following products:
Schneiders Lunchmate Stacker Ham, 111 grams, UPC 62000-31917, best before date April 29, 2009
Schneiders Lunchmate Stacker Turkey, 111 grams, UPC 62000-31933, best before date May 8, 2009
Schneiders Lunchmate Stacker Summer Sausage, 111 grams, UPC 62000-11452, best before date April 29,2009
Schneiders SmartLunch Bag Stacker Pepperoni, 351 grams, UPC 62000-18466, best before date May 8, 2009
Schneiders SmartLunch Bagel Combo, 326 grams, UPC 62000-18469, best before date March 20, 2009
Schneiders Wieners, UPC 62000-00018, best before date May 13, 2009
No injuries have been reported as a result of the tainted meat.
Customers of the store, located at 191 Silvercreek Parkway, are being urged to check their purchases and report anything suspicious to police.
"It is not known if any other products or any other stores have been involved or targeted as this appears to involve one single location," police said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities say they are working closely with officials from Loblaw, the parent company that owns No Frills, in the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact Const. Kevin King at 519-824-1212 ext 222. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).
