Overview
Police in Burgenland, Austria, said late on Saturday that rat poison was detected in a sample taken from a 190-gram jar of HiPP baby food. The announcement came after the product was recalled from more than 1,000 SPAR supermarkets in Austria amid safety concerns.
Details of the contamination
The police statement said the tested sample came from a jar of HiPP "Carrots and Potatoes" baby food that had been reported by a customer. Laboratory analysis on that sample returned a positive result for rat poison, according to authorities in Burgenland.
Packaging signs and consumer warnings
Authorities described features of the affected jars: a sticker with a red circle on the bottom, and lids that were either already opened, damaged, missing a safety seal, or jars that emitted an unusual smell. Police advised that consumers who have handled such jars should wash their hands thoroughly.
Related tests in other countries
Initial laboratory tests on similar jars seized by police in the Czech Republic and Slovakia also indicated the presence of a toxic substance, the Burgenland police statement said. The statement did not provide additional technical details about those tests.
Cross-border investigations and warnings
Police added that Austrian authorities were alerted to the risk after investigations in Germany, but gave no further information about those inquiries. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and officials have not disclosed additional specifics.
Company and retailer responses
HiPP said on Saturday that it could not rule out that a dangerous substance had been introduced into the product and that its HiPP Vegetable Carrot with Potato jars may have been tampered with. The company warned that consuming the contents of affected jars could be life-threatening.
HiPP issued a statement saying: "According to our current knowledge, this critical situation involves an external criminal interference that affects the SPAR Austria distribution channel." The company was not immediately available for further comment on Sunday.
SPAR told Reuters that the recall was a precautionary measure and said it affected 1,500 stores in Austria, with no impact on outlets elsewhere. SPAR and HiPP have advised customers not to consume the contents of jars purchased from SPAR Austria and said consumers would receive a full refund for returned products.
Uncertainties and next steps
Authorities have released limited detail on the nature of the toxic substance beyond the rat poison result in the Burgenland sample and the presence of a toxic substance in jars seized abroad. Police and public health officials continue to investigate how the contamination occurred and whether additional products are affected.
Consumer guidance
- Do not consume HiPP Vegetable Carrot with Potato jars purchased from SPAR Austria.
- Return affected jars to SPAR Austria for a full refund.
- Wash hands thoroughly if you have come into contact with a jar that appears opened, damaged, or smells unusual.