Sewing Needle found inside Potato bought in Ottawa

Ottawa Police are warning residents to be careful handling food after the discovery of a needle in potatoes bought at a grocery store in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The discovery follows several reports of needles found in table potatoes in Atlantic Canada, all traced to one Prince Edward Island producer, but police say the Ottawa case appears not to be related to those reports.

The “small, sharp needle resembling a sewing needle” was found by a resident peeling potatoes, police said. The potatoes came from an unnamed grocery story in South or East Ottawa.

Police said they were unable to provide further details at this time.

The Ottawa Police Service is coordinating with outside agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the R.C.M.P. to ensure the on-going safety of the Canadian food supply.

The Ottawa Police Service would like to ask all Ottawa residents to use caution when handling food. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS), toll free at 1-800-222-8477 or downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.