Needles found in sandwiches on Delta flights

Needles were found Sunday in sandwiches for passengers in business class on two Delta Air Lines flights from Amsterdam to Atlanta, one to Minneapolis and one to Seattle, prompting investigations by the FBI and authorities in the Netherlands.

One passenger on a flight to Minneapolis was injured, according to Delta, by an object in a sandwich "described as a sewing needle." Local authorities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and paramedics met the flight in Minneapolis, where the passenger refused medical treatment.

Atlanta-based Delta and airline caterer Gate Gourmet say they are cooperating with the investigations.

Delta said it is "taking this matter extremely seriously." It has increased security for meal production in Amsterdam and is serving more pre-packaged food on flights out of that city.

Gate Gourmet, Delta's in-flight caterer in Amsterdam and other cities including Atlanta, said it has launched its own investigation and heightened safety and security procedures.

"The situation is highly troubling," Gate Gourmet spokeswoman Christina Ulosevich said.