News on Food Tampering from the Americas

PEI Potato Solutions receives government support as the company invests in the latest sorting equipment

January 21, 2018

PEI Potato Solutions receives government support as the company invests in the latest sorting technology

The Government of Canada supports the investment in a Sherlock Separator potato sorter by RWL Holdings LTD (PEI Potato Solutions), a potato washing and sorting facility to optimize potatoes for processing prior to delivery to Cavendish Farms.

November 29, 2016

Halifax Police: Unclear if needle came from potatoes

After further investigation of the food tampering report of this weekend, Halifax Police concluded it can not be determined where the needle originated. This additional reporting caused a sigh of relieve among Canadian Potato Packers.

November 27, 2016

New Potato Tampering Incident in Halifax linked to Prince Edward Island Potatoes

Earlier today, the Halifax Regional Police announced they received a report of a needle being found in potatoes at a home in Halifax, NS Canada.

Gillenkirch installs potato washing and sorting plant for Rollo Bay Holdings

March 06, 2016

Gillenkirch installs high quality & hygienic plant for handling potatoes at Rollo Bay Holdings

German Machine manufacturer Gillenkirch installed a high quality & hygienic plant for handling potatoes at Rollo Bay Holdings on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

September 24, 2015

Security Cameras help keep Prince Edward Island Potatoes safe

The potato harvest on Prince Edward Island is now underway and many farmers have installed security cameras in their fields and around machinery due to potato tampering concerns.

August 17, 2015

Potato tampering mystery remains unsolved

The Prince Edward Island Potato Industry '... hasn't focused on the belly aching, financial or emotional challenges...' resulting from the potato tampering incidents, that are still unresolved. 'Instead food safety has continued to be the highest priority ...' says Greg Donald, general manager of the P.E.I. potato board.

July 29, 2015

Latest metal found in potatoes likely no tampering

The most recent report of a metal object found in a bag of potatoes appears to be of a different nature than previous incidents, say RCMP and the P.E.I. Potato Board.potato bag in which watch strap pin was found

July 14, 2015

Equipment manufacturer Gillenkirch offers solution to detect metal in potatoes

Equipment manufacturer GIllenkirch offers an innovative solution to the Prince Edward Island potato industry after the recent scare involving needles inserted in potatoes

June 30, 2015

Potato Industry raises Award for tips on needles in potatoes to CAD 500 000

The potato industry in Prince Edward Island has opted to increase the value of the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the iindividual(s) responsible for the deliberate insertion of metal objects into potatoes up to $500,000 until August 15th, 2015.

Two of the recalled products (see full list below)

May 24, 2015

Nails and Needles in Potatoes lead to recall in Atlantic Canada

Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles.

January 04, 2015

Cavendish Farms again finds needles in potatoes - not from Linkletter Farms this time.

Late December, Potato Processor Cavendish Farms detected again sewing needles stuck in potatoes processed at its New Annan plant on Prince Edward Island.

December 10, 2014

Reward Doubled for tips leading to arrest culprit sewing needles in potatoes

The reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of anyone who put sewing needles in Prince Edward Island potatoes has doubled to CAD 100.000

November 12, 2014

PEI Potato Growers award tips on Sewing Needles in potatoes with up to 50k

The Prince Edward Island potato industry is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for recent tampering incidents involving sewing needles being embedded in fresh potatoes.