Austria Recalls HiPP Baby Food After Rat Poison Found

Austrian police announced late Saturday that rat poison had been detected in a jar of HiPP baby food, prompting a nationwide recall of the product from SPAR supermarkets amid concerns over possible tampering. The discovery, centered in the eastern province of Burgenland, involved a 190-gram jar of carrot and potato puree reported by a customer, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of the toxic substance.

The Germany-based HiPP company initiated the recall late Friday after determining that a hazardous material might have been introduced into the production line. Officials described the incident as potential external criminal interference, specifically targeting the SPAR distribution channel in Austria. According to HiPP, consuming the contaminated contents could pose life-threatening risks to infants. Austria's food protection agency suggested the contamination may be linked to an extortion scheme, though investigations are ongoing.

Affected jars can be identified by a white label featuring a red circle on the bottom, along with signs such as an opened or damaged lid, a missing safety seal, or an unusual odor. Police in Burgenland stated that initial tests on similar...