Rat poison found in baby food, Austria orders recall

VIENNA (Web Desk): Austrian authorities have confirmed the presence of rat poison in jars of baby food produced by HiPP, prompting a large-scale recall from supermarkets across the country.

Police in the Burgenland region said a 190-gram jar of carrot and potato baby food, reported by a customer in Eisenstadt-Umgebung, tested positive for a toxic substance. The product had been sold through SPAR, which subsequently removed the items from approximately 1,500 stores in Austria.

HiPP confirmed that the affected jars contained rat poison and warned that consumption could be life-threatening. The company said it could not rule out external tampering and described the situation as a case of possible criminal interference within the distribution chain.

Authorities said suspicious jars may carry a red circle sticker on the bottom and show signs such as a damaged or missing safety seal, an already opened lid, or an unusual smell.

Initial laboratory tests on similar products seized in Czech Republic and Slovakia also indicated the presence of a toxic substance, though further details were not disclosed.

HiPP stated that products distributed outside the affected supply chain are not impacted. Meanwhile, SPAR said it had removed the products in all markets where it operates, including Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and northern Italy, as a precautionary measure.

Customers have been advised not to consume the recalled baby food and to return it for a full refund. Police also urged anyone who handled the jars to wash their hands thoroughly.

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety warned that immediate medical attention should be sought if a child has consumed the contaminated product.

Investigations are ongoing, with authorities in Austria reportedly alerted following related inquiries in Germany.