Pennsylvania ? A supermarket chain pulled soup cans from the shelves of its stores in six states after a family reported finding a sewing needle in a sealed can of minestrone, officials said.

The incident was the fourth report of needles or pins found in food purchased from stores in the Bethlehem area in the past two weeks.

The allegedly tampered can of Progresso Vegetable Classics Minestrone was purchased Saturday at a Giant Food Store in Wind Gap. Company spokesman Dennis Hopkins said store personnel pulled cans with similar lot numbers from shelves of all stores as a precaution. He said the chain also was increasing its undercover security until further notice.

Giant, owned by the Dutch food company Ahold Ltd., operates 255 supermarkets in six states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York and Ohio.