Baby food recalled in Austria after jar tests positive for rat poison
Coverage Framing
Story Timeline
Apr 20 Morning
Key Claims
HiPP baby food sold at stores operating under the SPAR umbrella in Austria has been recalled due to a tampered jar containing rodent poison.
With the involvement of the Federal Criminal Police Office, a sample of the seized product was examined on Saturday afternoon and tested positive for rat poison.
— Burgenland State Criminal Police Office
HiPP baby food seized by authorities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was also found to contain an unspecified toxic additive following laboratory testing.
The jars left our HiPP facility in perfect condition. The recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by the authorities.
— HiPP statement
Apr 19 Evening
Rat poison found in HiPP baby food jar in Austria, police say
Austrian police are investigating after rat poison was found in a jar of HiPP baby food, specifically carrot and potato purée, purchased by a customer in Burgenland. The customer reported the tampered jar before their baby consumed it. Authorities believe at least one more poisoned jar is in circulation and have issued guidance on identifying tampered products. The warning originated from German investigators, with similar incidents reported in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. HiPP has recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria due to potential life-threatening risks. The company maintains the jars left their factory in perfect condition, attributing the issue to a criminal act under investigation.
Rat poison found in baby food jar in Austria after product recall
Austrian police discovered rat poison in a jar of HiPP baby food after the product was recalled from over 1,000 Spar supermarkets in Austria due to safety concerns. The contamination was confirmed in a carrots and potatoes flavor jar reported by a customer. HiPP stated that the product may have been tampered with, posing a life-threatening risk if consumed. Affected jars are identified by a red circle sticker, damaged or missing safety seals, or an unusual smell. Similar jars seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia also showed traces of a toxic substance. Authorities in Austria were alerted to the risk following investigations in Germany. Spar and HiPP are advising customers not to consume the product and are offering full refunds.
Key Claims
Rat poison was found in a sample of HiPP baby food in Austria.
— Police in Austria
A customer reported a poisoned jar of carrot and potato purée.
— Police in the eastern region of Burgenland
HiPP recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria.
— HiPP
The recall of baby food jars at Spar Austria was "not due to a product or quality defect on our part".
— HiPP
Rat poison has been found in a jar of HiPP baby food.
— police in Austria
Apr 18 Evening
HiPP recalls jarred baby food in Austria over contamination fears
HiPP has recalled all of its jarred baby food purées sold in Spar supermarkets across Austria due to potential contamination. The recall was initiated after the company discovered that its carrot and potato jars may have been tampered with, posing a potential health risk. HiPP stated that a hazardous substance may have been introduced into the product due to external influence. As a precautionary measure, all HiPP jarred purées are being removed from over 1,500 Spar stores in Austria. Austrian police are investigating the incident and seeking information from the public, advising consumers to look for a white sticker with a red circle on the base of potentially affected products. HiPP has emphasized that products sold in other countries are not affected by this recall.
Key Claims
HiPP has recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria.
— null
HiPP stressed its products sold in other countries were not affected by the issue.
— HiPP
Supermarket chain Spar confirmed the recall and will provide full refunds.
— Spar
Consuming the tampered jars is potentially "life-threatening".
— HiPP
The company's carrot and potato jars may have been tampered with.
— HiPP