Farm supervisor charged to court in australia for strawberry contamination
You're referring to the 2018 strawberry contamination crisis in Australia!
Yes, a farm supervisor was charged with contaminating strawberries in Queensland, Australia. Here's a brief summary:
In September 2018, a series of incidents involving contaminated strawberries led to a nationwide recall of strawberries in Australia. The contamination was linked to a farm in Queensland, and an investigation was launched by the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police.
In November 2018, a 50-year-old farm supervisor, who was employed by the farm, was arrested and charged with contaminating the strawberries. The man, who was not named due to Australian privacy laws, was accused of inserting needles and other objects into strawberries as a prank.
The contamination incidents occurred between September 9 and September 13, 2018, and affected several brands of strawberries in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. The contamination led to a significant economic impact on the strawberry industry, with many farmers reporting losses and some even going out of business.
The farm supervisor was charged with 12 counts of contaminating food products, including strawberries, and one count of causing harm to a person. He was released on bail and was due to face court in March 2019. However, the case was adjourned several times due to various reasons, including the need for further investigation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2020, the farm supervisor pleaded guilty to 12 counts of contaminating food products and one count of causing harm to a person. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.
The strawberry contamination crisis led to a significant overhaul of the Australian food industry's safety and security measures, including the introduction of new regulations and guidelines for food producers and suppliers.