The incident began when a customer in Eisenstadt, in Austria’s Burgenland state, reported a jar with a damaged lid, a missing safety seal, and an unusual smell. Police from the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office, working with the Federal Criminal Police Office, tested a sample on Saturday afternoon and confirmed the presence of rat poison. Authorities noted that the baby associated with the reported jar had not consumed the food. Burgenland police stated that at least one additional poisoned jar remains in circulation and advised the public to exercise caution.
The investigation has expanded to neighboring countries. Police in the Czech Republic seized two contaminated jars in Brno, while authorities in Slovakia also confirmed the seizure of HiPP products containing an unspecified “toxic additive.” German investigators have been involved in the warning process. In response, retailers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have preemptively removed all HiPP baby food jars from sale. SPAR has also removed the brand’s products from stores in other countries as a precautionary measure. HiPP clarified that its baby formula lines and products sold in shops outside the SPAR umbrella remain unaffected.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety is monitoring the situation closely. Rat poison interferes with the body’s use of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Symptoms of ingestion typically appear two to five days after consumption and may include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, extreme weakness, and paleness. The agency urges any parents whose children have consumed HiPP purées to consult a doctor immediately if these signs appear. Consumers have been advised to avoid jars displaying a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom, and to return affected products to SPAR stores for a full refund, even without a receipt.
This incident follows recent widespread recalls in the infant food sector. In January and February, Nestle and Danone issued recalls of infant formula in over 60 countries due to contamination with the toxin cereulide. The UK’s Health and Security Agency reported that at least 36 infants in Britain suffered food poisoning from these contaminated batches, though none of the cases were life-threatening. Authorities continue to distinguish the current rat poison incident from those earlier quality-related recalls, focusing on the criminal nature of the tampering.
As of the latest updates, no definitive motive for the tampering has been confirmed, though police have not ruled out an extortion attempt. The focus remains on consumer safety and the ongoing criminal investigation. Authorities in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are coordinating their efforts to identify the source of the contamination and locate any remaining tampered jars in the supply chain.
