The Prince Edward Island potato industry announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for several cases of food tampering involving the deliberate insertion of metal objects into potatoes.

The potatoes containing metal objects were destined for human consumption, and the Prince Edward Island industry said it "remains concerned about the effect cowardly acts such as this have on the confidence of consumers in the food supply."

For this reason, the value of the reward was increased to $500,000 until Aug. 15.  Tips received from Aug. 16 until Oct. 31 will be eligible for the previously announced amount of up to $100,000. Anonymous tips are eligible for the reward.

“We have had tremendous support from the grower community in an effort to identify the person or persons responsible for recent cases of food tampering," Alex Docherty, chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, said in a press release. "However, the scope of the investigation has widened in recent weeks, and recent incidents of food tampering involving Prince Edward Island potatoes have led our industry to increase the profile of this reward in order to maximize the chance that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

The purchase and installation of foreign material detection equipment by Prince Edward Island potato growers and packers is expected to cost well in excess of $5 million, and potato farm operations affected by food tampering have already faced a significant financial burden in terms of product that had to be destroyed, market disruption and lost productivity. 

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board said the industry appreciates the recent financial contributions by the federal and provincial governments toward the purchase of detection equipment, as this shows that they also take this threat to public safety seriously. None of the recently announced funding will be used toward this reward fund.

Anyone knowing the individual or individuals involved, or who has information that would assist police in this investigation, can provide information anonymously to Crime Stoppers.  Information may be provided to Crime Stoppers by phone, 800/222-8477 (TIPS); Web, www.peicrimestoppers.com; or by text, Text “TIP162” plus the message to 274637 (CRIMES).

If they do not wish to remain anonymous, persons may contact the Prince Edward Island Royal Canadian Mounted Police toll-free at 844/592-2774.  Alternatively, an email can be sent to [email protected] and an investigator will respond.