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Austria Confirms Rat Poison in HiPP Baby Food as Retailers Pull Jars Across Central Europe

Authorities are investigating suspected criminal tampering linked to an extortion attempt.

Overview

  • Following Saturday's precautionary withdrawal by Spar in Austria, police said a lab found rat poison in a customer-reported jar from a store near Eisenstadt and reported no consumption.
  • Officials identified the suspect product as HiPP's 190 g carrot with potato jars and urged shoppers to watch for a white sticker with a red circle on the base or signs of tampering such as a damaged lid, no safety pop, or a foul smell.
  • Retailers widened precautions as Tesco in the Czech city of Brno removed the brand after two altered jars were found, and Slovak police seized stock for expert testing.
  • Health agency AGES warned that common rat poisons block vitamin K and can cause delayed bleeding two to five days after ingestion, so parents should seek urgent care if babies show bleeding, extreme weakness, or pallor.
  • Investigators are treating the case as suspected extortion with cross-border coordination, and HiPP set up hotlines and refunds without receipts while testing and searches continue.