Austria Recalls Baby Food After Jar Tests Positive for Rat Poison

Austria-based baby food manufacturer HiPP has issued a product recall in Austria due to the presence of rat poison in one of its jars. The company has pulled all baby food sold at stores under the SPAR umbrella in Austria, including outlets of EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, and Maximarkt.

According to authorities, a jar of “Carrots with Potatoes” baby food was reported by a customer and found to contain rat poison during an investigation. The Burgenland State Criminal Police Office confirmed that a sample of the seized product tested positive for the toxic substance.

HiPP stated in a statement that the recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by authorities, and not due to quality problems with its production processes. The company said it was in close contact with investigating authorities and could only share confirmed information relevant to consumer safety.

Additionally, laboratory testing on HiPP baby food seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia found an unspecified “toxic additive”. Authorities have advised consumers to avoid jars with a white sticker featuring a red circle, a damaged lid, or an unusual smell.

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety has urged anyone experiencing symptoms of poisoning to consult a doctor. Symptoms of ingesting rat poison include bleeding, extreme weakness, and paleness, which typically take two to five days to appear.

Source: Al Jazeera