Metal found in meat in SA

A meat contamination scare has spread to a fourth state, with a "distinctive" piece of metal found in pre-packed meat sold in a supermarket in South Australia.

Police said the latest find was in a packet of sausages bought at Woolworths at Gawler, north of Adelaide.

Similar pieces of metal, around six centimetres long, have also been found in meat and frozen products in other supermarkets in New South Wales, Western Australia and two in Queensland.

All five cases are believed to be linked and police have launched several avenues of inquiry, said Detective Superintendent Gayle Hogan of Queensland Police Service, which is heading the investigation.

"This is a complex investigation that covers a number of states and a number of different suppliers, a number of different distribution centres, different transport ... There's quite a number of different things to look at," Det Supt Hogan told reporters.

"The important thing here is for consumers to be vigilant in relation to the preparation of any product and if there is any contaminant there, to make sure that they report that."

All the metal objects were found as the products were being unpacked or cooked and none were ingested.

All the food was sold between January 5 and March 18 but police are not ruling out more cases coming to light.

"Our minds are open that there may be other things out there which is why we would like the public to be vigilant," Det Supt Hogan said.

But police were refusing to release further details for fear of copycats.

"That's another reason as a part of the investigation we keep information to ourselves because any copycat people could muddy the investigation and then we don't have control of what's going on," Det Supt Hogan said.

No threats had been received by a supermarket or by police, she said.

"As previously said, we don't believe the person is out to harm anybody but we believe the person is out to cause alarm."

Queensland Health's senior director of population health Dr Linda Selvey said the metal was large enough to be noticed before eating.

"The object is large enough that it has been detected before the products have been consumed, yet if somebody was intending to harm they could do something different."

Police say anyone finding a piece of metal in their food should return the object, the food product and packaging to the point of purchase.

They should also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

©AAP 2008

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User comments

it is now cheaper to buy fresh fruit ,veg and meat than fast foods and fresh is better i have seen a big change in my son behavior, proessed food contain to many chemicals.

I have always fed the family with meat and three veg dispite the hipe. My mother and her mother before her have always eaten a balanced diet of fresh in season veg and meat and they lived to be very old and strong. Meat and three veg can be prepared in many and varied cultual presentations, chinese, kebabs and lots of interesting taste sensations. It requires a little effort and preparation from the cook that's all. We risk our very lives eating all that american type fat food kfc and maccs. I say 'go Australia'and eat meat. Just my 2 cents worth. papercityquitls

Funny, isn't it. "Eat up your meat and 3 vegies, switch off that light, don't waste water - turn off the tap, say thank you to the lady, give up your seat to that elderly man, wait your turn".......our parents had it right after all !

I stopped eating meat many years ago. A meal containing meat uses up the same quantity of resources as 16 plates of pasta. According to the UN, the meat industry is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, leading to land degradation, climate change, air pollution, water shortage, water pollution and loss of biodiversity, not to mention the suffering of animals.

i stopped eating meat last year as my new year's resolution and have never felt healthier in my life than i do now. i have no plans to eat meat ever again, but i also do not try making anyone around me meat-free - each to their own.

on an odd occasion will i cook processed food. i grew up on meat and three veg every night, we all grew healthy and with very little illness, the introduction of lazy food has made our world what it is today, hyper active and adhd, and such kids, where was all that 30 years ago??

I dumped nearly all processed foods 12 months ago after the influence of Gordon Ramsay, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Nigella Lawson that getting back into the kitchen and using good quality products was better for you. We might not have 3 veg every day - usually 1-2 (but lots of it), take-out is now virtually non existant so we are eating healthier. My kids would rather eat Roast Beef and vegetables than take out Pizza.

Meat has always been a major part of my diet as Iwas raised on a sheep,wheat and cattle far. The meals I usually cook revolve around the meat and veges, if my kids dont get red meat 4-5 times week there are complaints,.. they dont sonsider it a main meal without some sort of meat.They are all fit,healthy and strong.

I don't eat red meat myself, but my family does.... We will eat a basic meal of grilled meat or chicken with vegies and potato or rice or pasta around 3 times a week. We avoid any processed foods and make all of our meals from scratch - no quick flavour sachets of MSG and chemicval cocktails in our house.

Fresh meat, poultry, game, fish and veg will always be the best. There is no substance other than body wasting sugar and fat in processed foods

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