West London supermarkets closed as man injected mysterious substance in food items

Shoppers have been told to throw away food bought in three west London supermarkets on Wednesday (25) evening after a man was arrested on suspicion of injecting items using syringes.

The man is reported to have gone into three supermarkets in Fulham Palace Road and injected foodstuffs with a number of needles, Metropolitan Police said on Thursday (26), adding that he has been taken into police custody while the investigation is still on.

The affected food items are thought to be processed meat and microwavable goods, Met police said, though it is currently unknown as to how many items have been contaminated, or what with. Investigations are ongoing to establish if other businesses in the area are involved in the incident.

🚨🚨Emergency Alert 🚨🚨@metpoliceuk have arrested a man this evening on suspicion of contaminating food at 3 supermarkets in Fulham Palace Road. The supermarkets – Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's – have closed and crime scenes are in place.

— H&F Council (@LBHF) August 25, 2021

Three stores on Fulham Palace Road- Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco Express and Little Waitrose- remain closed as police are investigating the matter.

In an “emergency alert” notice on social media, Hammersmith and Fulham Council said: “Members of the public are advised as a precaution to dispose of any food items bought from these supermarkets this evening.

“H&F Council’s Environmental Health team are now working with the supermarket branches affected.”