Olympians' food spiked with paperclips

• 15 muffins spiked at Olympic function
• 90 elite athletes in attendance
• At least two people bit into the muffins

AT LEAST five Beijing-bound Olympians were exposed to metal-laced muffins in the second major food contamination scare this month.
Police have confirmed paperclips were found in up to 15 chocolate muffins served last week at a Queensland University of Technology function for 90 elite athletes.
The scare came two days after police stepped up a nationwide investigation into contaminated meat and frozen products after a fifth piece of metal was found in supermarket sausages in South Australia.
But police ruled out any links with the latest incident, which has led to three employees being stood down from the city's popular Merlo Kitchen Catering Company.
Up to five Olympians including breastroker Christian Sprenger and rhythmic gymnast Ayiesha Johnston were at the morning tea.
They, however, did not eat the chocolate-chip muffins.
It is believed at least two people bit into the muffins but no one was injured.
Separate investigations have been launched by police, Queensland Health and the Merlo Kitchen Catering Company, which supplied the baked treats.
Company director Dean Merlo said three staff from the company's Newmarket catering wing were stood down with pay.
He said it was still unclear whether the paperclips were baked into the muffins or inserted afterwards but said there was no risk of contaminated food at the nine Merlo Bars across Brisbane.
"That food is only used for private functions and we've kept the contaminated pieces as evidence for the police with the rest in quarantine," he said.
"We naturally are horrified and I personally hate to think any of our employees would be involved with something like this."
Sprenger said he was shocked to hear of the contamination because there were no announcements at the event.
"I didn't even know about it until now," he said.
"You freak out a little bit when you hear of food being contaminated with metal and it's definitely a concern.
"Luckily I didn't eat anything but it's not the best thing to hear about when you're preparing for the Olympics. The less distractions the better."
QUT vice-chancillor Peter Coaldrake was at the morning tea but also did not not hear of the scare until hours later.
"The matter was taken very seriously by all parties and it was reported to Queensland Health and the police immediately," he said.
"It was a one-off incident and it's very fortunate damage has not been done. But there's lessons to be learnt from this and I'm sure there will be a heightened attention on preparation and food safety."