Safety pin found in fish sticks gets product pulled from shelves

ROCKLAND — Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks will remain off the shelves at the Rockland Shop ‘n Save store until an investigation is concluded about a complaint which involved a safety pin.

Shop ‘n Save consumer office spokesman Ann Marie Davee said the fish-packing firm took all products from the Rockland store this week after Washington resident Elizabeth Rhodes complained that she had found a safety pin in the fish sticks while preparing dinner for her family Saturday night. Efforts to contact the woman by telephone were unsuccessful.

The product was taken by the firm to the Philadelphia office for X-ray and further investigation.

The complaint also is being investigated by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Agriculture.

“We will keep the product off the shelves until all investigations have been concluded,” Davee said Thursday.

Lt. Donald Annis of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department said their portion of the investigation has been concluded. The package was not tampered with and the pin was not inside the fish stick but outside “in perfect view,” he said. “I can’t tell you how it got there,” Lt. Annis said.

“We will make a decision once all of the investigations have been completed,” Davee said. “Our interest is in the protection of our customers.”