Sewing needle in potato shocks Wabush man

Bruce Budgellwas peeling potatoes for aJigg'sDinner when he discovered the 2-inch-long sewing needle that led to a voluntarily recall of several varieties of potatoes across Atlantic Canada.

"I struck one potato and something steel rubbed my finger when I peeled it," the Wabush mantold CBC.

• Suspected potato tampering prompts recall in Atlantic Canada

"And what I come to discover was the top of a needle, and I pulled it out to see what it was and it was a sewing needle about two inches long."

Budgell purchased the potatoes at the CarolWabushCo-op in Labrador City, and called to complain about what he found.

Eventually, police showed up at his door to investigate the complaint.

Recalled were the Link, Market Town and Carr's potatoes, which originated fromLinkletterFarms inSummerside, P.E.I.

Potato was deliberately tampered with

Company presidentGary Linkletter said he was informed the object was put there on purpose.

For now, he's voluntarily taken the potatoes off the market.

As for Budgell, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary showed up to his home to take the remaining potatoes at the request of the RCMP in P.E.I.

He said he's waiting to be contacted further by Co-op head operations.

While there have been no confirmed illnesses or injuries, consumers have been advised to carefully check potatoes for foreign objects, as a precaution.

Police continue to investigate how the needle got into the potato.