A Murrumbidgee school student has found a sewing needle in a strawberry.
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It is the first reported incident across the Riverina, following the a country-wide contamination last week.
A Department of Education spokesman on Tuesday confirmed a Yanco Public School student had come found needle in the fruit they had taken to school.
The spokesman said the young girl noticed the needle in some fruit she was about to eat.
The Leeton Shire girl was unharmed and reported the find to her teachers, who in turn, told police.
The spokesman said the incident “encouraged parents to be vigilant when preparing fruit they [were] providing to their children”.
Murrumbidgee Police District chief inspector John Wadsworth confirmed officers were investigating an incident.
It comes after a sewing needle was also found in a punnet of strawberries in Albury, according to NSW Police.
The shock announcement about the mass contamination was made last week, with six brands of strawberries having been affected by what was believed to be a purposeful act in Queensland.
There have now been more than 20 cases of pins or needles found in strawberries reported across NSW, according to police. It confirmed punnets from the brands: Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, Love Berry, Donnybrook Berries, Delightful Strawberries, and Oasis were impacted.
Officers on Tuesday afternoon said copycats may have been behind the latest discoveries of isolated contamination in other fruits, including bananas and apples.
Supermarkets are working with authorities to remove all affected stock and any customer who has purchased strawberries of the potentially impacted brands is urged to cut the fruit before consuming.
NSW Police are investigating these incidents and have requested anyone with information come forward and call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.