Austrian police detain man over rat poison found in infant formula

Austria Arrests 39-Year-Old Over Contaminated Baby Food

Police in Austria’s Burgenland state have arrested a 39-year-old suspect in connection with the discovery of rat poison in jars of baby food sold by Swiss company HiPP. The arrest follows a partial recall of HiPP products issued last month after authorities found the toxic substance and an unspecified additive in jars sold in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

The recall was prompted by a “criminal act” under investigation by authorities, with HiPP stating that its products were not tainted during production. The company later reported being contacted by an extortionist seeking to blackmail it.

Austrian authorities had advised the public to avoid HiPP products featuring specific labels or exhibiting unusual signs of damage. If symptoms of poisoning are experienced, including bleeding, extreme weakness, or paleness, individuals are advised to consult a medical professional.

According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, rat poison can interfere with vitamin K use in the body, with symptoms typically appearing two to five days after ingestion. The investigation is ongoing, with police declining to provide further information at this time.

Source: Al Jazeera