Needles found in more potatoes in P.E.I.

NEW ANNAN, P.E.I. – Cavendish Farms in P.E.I. says the RCMP has been again called in to investigate the discovery of sewing needles embedded in potatoes being processed at one of its plants on the Island.

However, the company confirmed Monday that unlike several similar incidents reported since October, the affected potatoes came from a different farming operation than the one already under investigation.

A company spokesman says the latest batch of tampered potatoes were harvested in 2014, but he would not say where they came from.

However, the company did say the tampered potatoes did not come from Linkletter Farms Ltd. like the others that have turned up at the plant and in table potatoes over the past few months.

The company said its metal detectors worked and, as a result, none of the affected potatoes left the plant in New Annan.

“Our established food safety processes and technology worked as they were designed,” said Bill Meisner, vice-president of operations.”Our employees responded as trained. We have full confidence in our safety processes and the safety of our product.”

Earlier this month, the reward being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case was doubled to $100,000.

At the time, the P.E.I. Potato Board said the reward was offered after at least 10 potatoes in bags purchased in grocery stores throughout the Maritimes were found to have sewing needles inserted into the flesh.

All those potatoes came from Linkletter Farms and as many as 360,000 kilograms were recalled.