The Australian scare over needles found in strawberries has spread to New Zealand after needles were found in a punnet of the fruit in an Auckland supermarket.

The Countdown supermarket chain said it had taken a brand of Australian strawberries off the shelves.

There have been over 100 reports of needles being found in supermarket fruit in Australia.

Many are thought to be copycat cases or social media jokes, however.

The strawberries in Auckland, originally from Western Australia state, were sold in New Zealand Countdown stores nationwide last week.

"We take food safety very seriously," the company said in a statement.

"Customers can return any Choice brand of strawberries they may have at home to Countdown for peace of mind and a full refund."

The statement said there had been no reports of any illness or injury in New Zealand, but the chain advised customers to cut up any Australian strawberries before eating them.

It added that the brand of strawberries affected by this withdrawal "have not previously had any issues of this nature reported and had not been withdrawn from sale in Australia".(BBC)