$10,000 reward in Calgary food tampering case

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for several cases of food tampering across Calgary.

The announcement came after a third chain, a southeast Safeway, was targeted. On Monday, March 29, a customer found a metal object inside a loaf of bread.

"Our members take incidents such as these very seriously," said Nick Jennery, President and CEO of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors. "Members are working closely with police to protect consumers and apprehend those responsible."

With three similar incidents at Sobeys stores last week and charges filed earlier this month against a woman in a case of tampering at a Co-op grocery, Calgary police are concerned for public safety.

"It’s disheartening," duty inspector Darren Cave said Monday. "There are no boundaries as to who could be doing this and it is for that reason we are asking people to be vigilant."

Cave said police were called to the 70 Shawville Blvd. S.W. Safeway about 3:30 p.m. Monday for reports of a metal item found in a loaf of bread.

The item was bought on Sunday and returned to the store by the customer the following day.

The incident at Safeway comes just days after officials announced security and safety precautions were ramped up at stores across the city in light of the rash of tampering incidents at other stores.

On Monday, a company spokeswoman said there hasn’t been a case of in-store tampering at a Safeway store in Canada in 80 years.

"It’s really upsetting for our company," said Betty Kellsey. "We’ve never witnessed anything like this in our history."

Kellsey said people generally don’t think about food safety often enough, making this tampering case even more concerning.

"It’s such a shame, such a coward who would participate in an activity such as this."

Kellsey said staff and customers are being asked to report any suspicious activities to store management or Calgary police.

Cave wouldn’t say what the metal item found in the bread is, as it’s part of the police investigation.

Last week, the three Sobeys stores hit were in Cranston, McKenzie Towne and Millrise, all in the south. Metal items, a pin and nail and a small spring, were found by customers in two kaiser buns and an avocado.

Cave said police are considering the possibility a copycat is involved in the latest incident.

"We have to look at that option as well," he said.

"It could be a disgruntled employee, an ex-employee, a disgruntled customer. These are difficult investigations."

Police also cautioned all shoppers to check their groceries whether they shop at large chain stores or smaller, local grocery stores.

dtetley@theheral d.canwest.com