Roy Hill in the Chichester Range is 115km north of the Pilbara town of Newman. Source: News Limited

The contractor employee had reportedly taken the fruit from the canteen or “mess hall” at the remote Pilbara site on Monday and walked away. He said he noticed the fruit had a bad taste and an unusual colour. He returned to the mess hall and told staff who contacted police.

The worker has been tested and shows no signs of ill health.

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Analysis of the kiwi fruit in Perth reportedly confirmed late on Wednesday that

it contained a dangerous chemical. Last night Channel Seven Perth reported it was cyanide.

Major crime squad detectives are investigating.

Police said extra investigators, including forensics experts, were sent to the Pilbara minesite yesterday.

Roy Hill in the Chichester Range is 115km north of the Pilbara town of Newman. It is not a town and workers get all their meals from on-site catering.

The site is believed to have reserves of more than 2.4 billion tonnes, and could become one of the largest mining projects in Australia.

Roy Hill chief executive Barry Fitzgerald said he was unaware whether the poisoner had targeted any particular person.

“We have received no information from any parties about that matter,” Mr Fitzgerald told ABC radio yesterday.

“Our view and certainly that of the police is that this is very much an isolated incident.”

He said the company had increased its vigilance regarding food security.

“We have communicated with the catering company and workforce, telling employees they need to be on the lookout for anything unusual.”

With AAP