European baby food manufacturer HiPP has issued an urgent recall after testing revealed rat poison contamination in infant food jars distributed across three countries, according to officials who announced the findings on Sunday.
The contamination was discovered in 190-gram jars containing carrot and potato puree designed for 5-month-old infants, which were distributed through SPAR supermarket chains throughout Austria. Laboratory testing first confirmed the presence of rat poison on Saturday.
“This recall is not due to any product or quality defect on our part. The jars left our HiPP facility in perfect condition,” the company stated. “The recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by the authorities.”
Austrian Burgenland Police report that contaminated products can be identified by white stickers bearing red circles affixed to jar bottoms. Additional warning indicators include compromised or previously opened lids, abnormal odors, and the absence of the typical popping sound when jars are first opened.
As a safety measure, HiPP has expanded its recall to include all baby food products sold through SPAR retail locations in Austria, encompassing SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt outlets. The company is offering complete refunds without requiring purchase receipts. Meanwhile, retailers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have pulled all HiPP baby food from their shelves.
The contamination came to light when a customer alerted authorities about apparent product tampering, though police confirm no one actually consumed the affected baby food.
According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, rat poison commonly contains bromadiolone, a blood-thinning compound that blocks normal clotting functions. Consumption could trigger symptoms including gum bleeding, nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, and blood in bowel movements.
Health officials warn that poisoning symptoms may not manifest until two to five days following ingestion.
