Cases of metal found in potatoes rises to five in Atlantic Canada: RCMP

Police in Prince Edward Island are investigating a possible case of food tampering after metal objects were found inside potatoes. (Bruce Budgell)

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. -- Police in Prince Edward Island say they have received three more reports of potatoes containing metal objects in them, bringing the total number of such cases to five over the last week.

The RCMP say two additional cases of tampered potatoes were received from Neil's Harbour, N.S., on Saturday and Musgrave Harbour, N.L., on Monday.

A third complaint came in Tuesday from Chance Cove, N.L.

The Mounties say in all cases, the metal objects were found before the potatoes were eaten.

Police believe all of the tampered potatoes originated from Linkletter Farms, based in Summerside, P.E.I.

The company said it immediately notified the Canadian Food Inspection Agency when it discovered the problem last week and the agency said Linkletter Farms voluntarily withdrew its Link and Market Town brands.

The RCMP have asked consumers in Atlantic Canada to check for metal objects in potatoes supplied by the company and call them if more are discovered.