The recall affects 190-gram jars of carrot and potato baby food for infants aged five months and above, sold through SPAR supermarket chains in Austria, according to multiple reports. The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) said the poison detected is likely to contain bromadiolone, an anticoagulant rodenticide. HiPP stated the recall is not due to any product or quality defect on their part and is related to a criminal act under investigation. The company recalled its entire range of baby food jars at SPAR in Austria because a dangerous substance may have been added externally, warning that consumption could be life-threatening. Austrian police found rat poison in a baby food jar, according to reports. The rat poison was found in a HiPP brand 'carrot with potato' puree, sources said. HiPP announced a recall at SPAR supermarkets in Austria over suspected tampering, according to reports. A sample tested positive for rat poison on Saturday afternoon, sources said. Austria's agency for food protection said rat poison may have been introduced as part of an extortion scheme, according to reports. Customers were asked not to consume the product and return it to the store, sources said.
Suspicious jars may lack a safety seal and some have a white label with a red circle, according to Burgenland Police, who have urged parents to inspect jars for tampering signs such as a damaged lid, unusual smell, or no popping noise when opened. The alert was triggered after a customer reported a jar that appeared to have been interfered with, multiple sources said. A man contacted police in Burgenland after buying a jar of HiPP baby food he suspected was contaminated, and criminal technical analysis confirmed the baby food contained a toxic substance. All jars from the same distribution channel have been withdrawn as a precaution, according to AGES. Five manipulated jars have been located in Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia, Reuters reported. Police fear that another jar with poisoned content has not yet been located.
Symptoms of poisoning may include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, and blood in stool, appearing 2-5 days after ingestion, according to AGES. Poisoning can be effectively treated with vitamin K, the agency added. Customers are entitled to a full refund without a receipt, multiple reports said. Those who find a suspicious jar are urged to return it to the store or contact police. AGES recommends washing hands thoroughly after contact with the product. No consumption of the affected product has been reported, according to multiple sources.
Authorities have not yet identified a suspect, and the investigation is ongoing, multiple reports said. An email sent to HiPP demanded 2 million euros by April 2, threatening to place poisoned jars in various grocery stores if payment was not made, according to Die Presse. The email was sent on March 27. Police confirm they are investigating an extortion attempt against HiPP and state that all necessary measures were taken as soon as the email became known on April 16. Other media have reported suspected sabotage and extortion, but police will not confirm. Investigations are also ongoing in Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia after similar cases, according to AGES. Sweden is not among the countries where poison is suspected in the product, multiple reports said. The incident follows recalls by Nestlé and Danone in January and February over contamination concerns, according to multiple reports. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed 36 reports of children with symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning after consuming contaminated formula. Since December, several manufacturers including Nestle, Danone, and Lactalis have issued recalls of infant formula in more than 60 countries due to possible contamination with cereulide, according to research. Several infants who consumed powdered milk containing cereulide have died, according to French authorities. However, French prosecutors said in March the death of one baby in January does not appear to be linked to contaminated formula.