PA Supermarket Employee Hid Sewing Needles In Food: PD

EASTERN PA — A teenage Giant supermarket employee in eastern Pennsylvania hid sewing needles inside vegetables and Tastycakes, Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday.

Giant became were made aware of the issue at the store on 7150 Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township on Monday, and state police responded to the incident on Wednesday. Customers purchased several of the items and returned them, police said.

Troopers recommend anyone who has shopped at the store between Thursday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 19 to check their items for tampering. It's believed the "product tampering" occurred after 5 p.m. on April 13.

A spokesperson for Giant told Patch that no other stores were impacted by the employee, who has been fired.

"The safety of our customers is GIANT’S top priority," the spokesperson added. "Out of an abundance of caution, the company has removed some products from shelves at its Trexlertown store. The categories believed to be affected include: single serve Tastykakes, fresh bagged green beans, loose sweet yellow and white onions, fresh green asparagus, soft packaged dog food and treats, soft packaged cat food and treats, instant mashed potatoes (boxed) and cleaning sponges."

Charges will be announced soon for the employee, who is under 18, police added.

If you have any information related to the case, contact the Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville Criminal Investigation Unit at (610) 395 – 1438.