PRANKSTERS who post food contamination hoaxes on social media could face 10 years behind bars, as the government cracks down on "food terrorists" responsible for the strawberry needle crisis.
Australians are being urged to continue buying strawberries, but to "cut before you chomp".
More than 100 reports of tampered fruit are being investigated by police across the country, many of which are thought to be fake or copycat cases.
The Qld and NSW governments are offering a reward to catch the culprits.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the "idiot" who first sabotaged strawberries, setting off the chain of events, had risked the livelihoods of farmers and put fear in the hearts of parents across the country.
"This is a shocking and cowardly thing for this individual and others who have jumped onto the bandwagon here to have engaged in," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
He wants the maximum penalty for food contamination increased from 10 to 15 years in prison, in line with child pornography and terror financing offences.
The culpability threshold would also be lowered from intending to cause anxiety or harm, to simply engaging in a reckless act.
Additionally, anyone who piggy-backs off such a crisis by engaging in a reckless hoax would also face 10 years behind bars.
The offence would extend to people who provide false reports or make jokes in poor taste on Facebook.
"It's not a joke, it's not funny, you are putting the livelihoods of hard-working Australians at risk and you are scaring children, you're a coward and you're a grub." Mr Morrison said.
"If you do that sort of thing in this country, we will come after you and we will throw the book at you."
Mr Morrison wants the laws to pass parliament by the time it rises on Thursday evening.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said the sanctions would not be applied retrospectively to capture those responsible for the existing strawberry saga.
"But the reason we are doing this so quickly is ... this sends a massive deterrence message to anyone out there who would further cripple this industry."
The prime minister and his cabinet colleagues are urging Australians to continue buying strawberries.
"Make a pav this weekend and put some strawberries on it," Mr Morrison said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor would work with the government on stopping the "despicable acts", as he urged consumers to support the industry.
"A couple of isolated cases is no reason to stop buying strawberries," he said.
Australian Associated Press
