A Melbourne supermarket cashier struck by a syringe was the victim of an accident, police say.

The shop assistant was hospitalised after she was hit by the syringe as she served customers.

Victoria Police initially believed a man standing in the line of customers at the North Melbourne supermarket threw the syringe at the woman on Sunday afternoon.

But police now say the man committed no offence.

“Police have now reviewed the CCTV footage of an incident involving a syringe at a store on Queensbury Street this afternoon,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“Investigators have deemed the incident was accidental and no offence was committed.”