In brief
A 43‑year‑old woman in Western Australia is charged with endangering a coworker after she allegedly added snail poison to a shared curry dish. The poison, metaldehyde found in snail pellets, was detected when the victim noticed green granules and experienced numbness. Police traced the substance back to a chemical storage shed visited by the accused. She will go to court on 5 November, and officials warn that the toxin could cause serious injury or death if it had gone undetected.
An Australian woman has been charged for allegedly contaminating a coworker's lunch with snail poison.
Police in Western Australia say the victim, a 58‑year‑old coworker, made a bowl of curry for staff in February. The poisoned dish was left for lunch, but the victim noticed bright green granules and felt her tongue numb after tasting it.
Investigators trace the toxin to metaldehyde, a chemical found in snail pellets commonly used as a bait. The accused, 43, visited a chemical storage shed before adding the substance.
She has been charged with endangering the life, health or safety of another person and will appear in court on 5 November. Police stress that if the poison had gone undetected, it could have caused serious injury or death.
The case highlights concerns about workplace food safety and the dangers of readily available toxic compounds.
