A photo supplied to Stuff by the Timaru woman of a needle in the bottom of a strawberry bought from a Timaru supermarket.

A 28-year-old woman has been charged with making a false complaint in relation to a report made to police on Monday regarding a needle found in a strawberry at Pak'n'Save Timaru.

She has been summonsed to appear in Timaru District Court on January 29.

The arrest comes two days after Pak'nSave was the second South Canterbury supermarket forced to pull strawberries from the shelves after the discovery of a needle in a punnet. A needle was found inside a strawberry in a punnet purchased at FreshChoice supermarket in Geraldine on November 24.

A police spokesperson said the incident was disappointing but "demonstrates that police and Ministry for Primary Industry's New Zealand Food Safety take these matters seriously".

READ MORE: Investigation launched after needle found in strawberry sold in Geraldine

"It also shows that, where appropriate, anyone making false reports in matters like this will be held to account."

Foodstuffs pulled strawberries from the Timaru supermarket, and worked with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and police following a complaint on Monday morning.

On Wednesday, a NZFS spokesperson said the investigation showed there "were no risks in the supply chain or the food safety system".

"There is no reason that strawberries shouldn't go back on the shelves."



