In brief
Authorities in Austria are investigating a case of contaminated HiPP baby food after a sample was found to contain rat poison. The affected jar was reported by a customer, whose baby fortunately did not consume the product. Police suspect more tampered jars may exist, leading to a recall of all HiPP baby food sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria. In addition, warnings have been issued regarding possible contamination in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with customers advised to check jars for signs of tampering.
Police in Austria have urged people to be vigilant after a sample of HiPP baby food was found to contain rat poison.
The police in the eastern region of Burgenland reported that the poisoned jar of carrot and potato purée had been reported by a customer and that their baby had fortunately not consumed the food.
Authorities have said the jar had apparently been tampered with, and they believe at least one more poisoned jar is in circulation, issuing guidance on how to recognize tampered jars.
While the police have not confirmed an alleged extortion attempt, the warning has been aligned with information from German investigators, with tampered jars also reported in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
On Saturday, HiPP recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria, stating that consuming them may be potentially life-threatening.
The German-based company insisted that the recall was not due to a product or quality defect and that the jars had left its factory in perfect condition.
The recall is linked to a criminal act currently under investigation, with authorities stating that isolated cases of tampered HiPP jars have been seized across Austria and neighboring countries.
Based on an examination of these jars, it was determined that they contained rat poison, authorities said.
Spar has also pulled the brand's baby food from stores across other countries as a precaution.
Consumers are being urged to look for damaged or open lids, missing safety seals, unusual or spoiled odors, or a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of jars.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety advised parents whose babies have consumed the product to consult a doctor if any symptoms occur, such as bleeding or extreme weakness.
Customers are instructed not to consume any HiPP jars purchased from Eurospar, Interspar, and Maximarkt and are advised to return them for a refund.
More than 1,500 Spar shops are located across Austria, with police affirming that baby food sold in other stores is unaffected by this recall.
HiPP's baby formula products are also unaffected.
Retailers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have proactively removed all HiPP jars from sale.
This incident follows recent recalls by other baby brands like Nestle and Danone due to contamination concerns, affecting infants in multiple countries.
According to the UK Health and Security Agency, babies in Britain also experienced food poisoning after consuming contaminated baby formula, although their conditions were not life-threatening.
