In a concerning turn of events, the renowned baby food company HiPP has initiated a recall of specific baby food jars after alarming findings in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Tests revealed the presence of rat poison in some samples, prompting immediate action, as announced by officials on Sunday.
Authorities have traced the issue to 190-gram jars, designed for infants aged five months, featuring a blend of carrots and potatoes. These jars were distributed through SPAR supermarkets across Austria, with the first contaminated sample being identified on Saturday.
HiPP has been quick to clarify the situation, emphasizing in an official statement that the recall is not a consequence of a manufacturing fault. “Our products left the HiPP facility in impeccable condition,” the company asserted, making it clear that the contamination is linked to a criminal act presently under investigation by law enforcement.
The Austrian Burgenland Police have provided further details, noting that the compromised jars can be identified by a distinctive white sticker with a red circle located on the bottom. Consumers are urged to check their purchases carefully and report any suspicious findings to the authorities.
“The recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by the authorities.”
Burgenland Police in Austria said the suspicious products likely have a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the jar.
Other warning signs include a damaged or opened lid and an unusual or spoiled smell.
There also might not be a popping noise when the jar is first opened.
HiPP said it is recalling all of its baby food jars sold at SPAR supermarkets — which include SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt stores — in Austria as a precaution.
Customers can get full refunds even without a receipt.
Vendors in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have removed all of the brand’s baby jars from sale.
A customer reported that a jar appeared to have been tampered with, police said, though no one had consumed the baby food.
Rat poison typically includes bromadiolone, an anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting, according to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety.
Ingesting rat poison could lead to bleeding like bleeding gums and nosebleeds, as well as bruising and blood in the stool.
Symptoms could appear two to five days after ingestion, the agency said.
