LOWER MACUNGIE TWP. — A juvenile who formerly was an employee of Trexlertown Giant supermarket was charged Tuesday with putting sewing needles into various consumer products.
The employee was charged with three counts of recklessly endangering another person, a misdemeanor, and one count of criminal mischief as a result of a state police investigation.
- A juvenile has been charged with misdemeanor counts in the case where sewing needles were found in grocery store items
- Sewing needles were found in food items at the 7150 Hamilton Boulevard Giant supermarket in Lower Macungie Township
- A total of 11 needles were found placed in food, with no injuries resulting
A total of 11 needles were found placed in merchandise at the store at 7150 Hamilton Boulevard.
No injuries were reported as a result.
Needles were found in various products and were returned by customers including produce, Tastykakes, bread rolls, pet food, StarKist tuna pouches and cleaning sponges.
“Based on an internal investigation and surveillance video, an employee — now former employee — appeared to insert a sewing needle into at least three known food items, which were found to have sewing needles."Ashley Flower, Giant spokeswoman in an email
Police recommended customers who bought grocery items from the store from April 13-19 check them for any tampering.
The company says anybody who purchased those items from the Hamilton Boulevard location, or otherwise suspects tampering, can return the items for a full refund.
In a statement last week, a representative from Giant said it was an isolated incident with no other locations affected.
“Based on an internal investigation and surveillance video, an employee — now former employee — appeared to insert a sewing needle into at least three known food items, which were found to have sewing needles," company spokeswoman Ashley Flower said in an email.
