Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Baby food brand HiPP recalls jars in Austria after samples test positive for rat poison
Updated 9:21 PM CDT, April 19, 2026
VIENNA (AP) — Baby food brand HiPP is recalling some of its baby food jars after samples in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic tested positive for rat poison, officials said Sunday.
Authorities believe the tampering occurred in 190-gram (6.7-ounce) jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria. The first sample tested positive 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,” HiPP said in a statement. “The recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by the authorities.”
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https://apnews.com/article/rat-poison-baby-food-hipp-austria-f62aa2caa8f4239841dbe7a341b8bfcd
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Translation Google
Urgent warning to the public – suspected manipulation of HiPP baby food
Press release from the Burgenland police
Police are urgently warning the public about potentially poisoned HiPP brand baby food/weaning food that may have been circulated in Austria. This warning stems from ongoing investigations in Germany. As part of these investigations, Austrian authorities were informed that potentially contaminated HiPP jars were circulating in Eisenstadt.
In Schützen am Gebirge (Eisenstadt-Umgebung district), the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office seized a jar of "Carrots and Potatoes" baby food (190 grams), which had apparently been tampered with. This jar had been reported by a customer; the baby had not been consumed.
Similar jars were also seized by police in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Initial laboratory tests revealed a toxic additive in these products. It was also reported that the tampered jars had a spoiled odor.
With the assistance of the Federal Criminal Police Office, a sample of the seized product was examined on Saturday afternoon and tested positive for rat poison.
Further investigations are currently being conducted by the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office in cooperation with the Federal Criminal Police Office. The authorities request increased vigilance and prompt reporting of any suspicious observations.
Identifying Affected Products
: According to the current state of the investigation, suspicious products can be identified by the following markings:
•
White sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the glass jar,
•
Lid already opened or damaged,
•
Missing safety seal (no "click" sound when first opened),
•
Unusual or spoiled odor (according to witness statements).
Urgent appeal to parents and caregivers:
Should you possess HiPP baby food with this marking or notice any irregularities:
Do not open it
. Do not consume it under any circumstances or offer it to a small child
. Set the product aside away from all other food, possibly wearing gloves
. Afterwards: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap immediately (for at least 30 seconds) BEFORE any further contact with another person, especially children.
The Burgenland State Police Directorate is accepting information regarding the recall of HiPP baby food jars containing potentially life-threatening substances at the telephone number +43 5913310, extension 3333.
Recall by Spar Austria
SPAR Austria has proactively removed its entire HiPP baby food jar range from sale. Customers are asked not to consume any HiPP jars purchased at SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, or Maximarkt and to return them. According to SPAR, the purchase price will be refunded even without a receipt.
Press release
dated April 18, 2026, 9:01 PM
Please send your responses to the Burgenland State Police Directorate.
https://www.polizei.gv.at/bgld/presse/aussendungen/presse.aspx?prid=42776A5668484A306A44553D&pro=0
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April 20, 2026
BMASGPK and AGES warn of poisoned baby food
Recommendations for parents and caregivers
The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK), together with AGES, advises increased vigilance in connection with poisoned HiPP brand baby food. According to current information, a jar of "Carrot and Potato" baby food (190 grams) in Austria was contaminated with rat poison. A second jar is believed to still be in circulation.
The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK ) and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) are in close contact with authorities nationwide. The criminal police are investigating.
Recommendations for parents and caregivers
Symptoms typically appear with a delay, approximately 2-5 days after admission.
Health risks
Rat poisons contain various active ingredients with correspondingly different health effects. The most commonly used active ingredient is bromadiolone, a so-called vitamin K antagonist. This inhibits the effect of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. As a result, the blood's clotting ability can be reduced. Possible consequences include bleeding (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, blood in the stool).
If you notice any suspicious jars of infant formula, please notify the regionally responsible police station immediately.
More information
Current information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the AGES website .
Parents who have questions or notice any health problems in their child can contact the telephone health advice service at 1450. There they will receive medical assessments and recommendations for further action around the clock.
In case of acute emergencies, please contact the following emergency numbers:
Updated 9:21 PM CDT, April 19, 2026
VIENNA (AP) — Baby food brand HiPP is recalling some of its baby food jars after samples in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic tested positive for rat poison, officials said Sunday.
Authorities believe the tampering occurred in 190-gram (6.7-ounce) jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria. The first sample tested positive 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,” HiPP said in a statement. “The recall is related to a criminal act currently under investigation by the authorities.”
...
https://apnews.com/article/rat-poison-baby-food-hipp-austria-f62aa2caa8f4239841dbe7a341b8bfcd
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation Google
Urgent warning to the public – suspected manipulation of HiPP baby food
Press release from the Burgenland police
Police are urgently warning the public about potentially poisoned HiPP brand baby food/weaning food that may have been circulated in Austria. This warning stems from ongoing investigations in Germany. As part of these investigations, Austrian authorities were informed that potentially contaminated HiPP jars were circulating in Eisenstadt.
In Schützen am Gebirge (Eisenstadt-Umgebung district), the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office seized a jar of "Carrots and Potatoes" baby food (190 grams), which had apparently been tampered with. This jar had been reported by a customer; the baby had not been consumed.
Similar jars were also seized by police in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Initial laboratory tests revealed a toxic additive in these products. It was also reported that the tampered jars had a spoiled odor.
With the assistance of the Federal Criminal Police Office, a sample of the seized product was examined on Saturday afternoon and tested positive for rat poison.
Further investigations are currently being conducted by the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office in cooperation with the Federal Criminal Police Office. The authorities request increased vigilance and prompt reporting of any suspicious observations.
Identifying Affected Products
: According to the current state of the investigation, suspicious products can be identified by the following markings:
•
White sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the glass jar,
•
Lid already opened or damaged,
•
Missing safety seal (no "click" sound when first opened),
•
Unusual or spoiled odor (according to witness statements).
Urgent appeal to parents and caregivers:
Should you possess HiPP baby food with this marking or notice any irregularities:
Do not open it
. Do not consume it under any circumstances or offer it to a small child
. Set the product aside away from all other food, possibly wearing gloves
. Afterwards: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap immediately (for at least 30 seconds) BEFORE any further contact with another person, especially children.
The Burgenland State Police Directorate is accepting information regarding the recall of HiPP baby food jars containing potentially life-threatening substances at the telephone number +43 5913310, extension 3333.
Recall by Spar Austria
SPAR Austria has proactively removed its entire HiPP baby food jar range from sale. Customers are asked not to consume any HiPP jars purchased at SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, or Maximarkt and to return them. According to SPAR, the purchase price will be refunded even without a receipt.
Press release
dated April 18, 2026, 9:01 PM
Please send your responses to the Burgenland State Police Directorate.
https://www.polizei.gv.at/bgld/presse/aussendungen/presse.aspx?prid=42776A5668484A306A44553D&pro=0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 20, 2026
BMASGPK and AGES warn of poisoned baby food
Recommendations for parents and caregivers
The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK), together with AGES, advises increased vigilance in connection with poisoned HiPP brand baby food. According to current information, a jar of "Carrot and Potato" baby food (190 grams) in Austria was contaminated with rat poison. A second jar is believed to still be in circulation.
The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK ) and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) are in close contact with authorities nationwide. The criminal police are investigating.
Recommendations for parents and caregivers
- If bleeding, extreme weakness or paleness occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
- Be sure to inform medical personnel that the affected product has been consumed.
- Carefully check baby food before feeding it to children (appearance, smell).
Symptoms typically appear with a delay, approximately 2-5 days after admission.
Health risks
Rat poisons contain various active ingredients with correspondingly different health effects. The most commonly used active ingredient is bromadiolone, a so-called vitamin K antagonist. This inhibits the effect of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. As a result, the blood's clotting ability can be reduced. Possible consequences include bleeding (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, blood in the stool).
If you notice any suspicious jars of infant formula, please notify the regionally responsible police station immediately.
More information
Current information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the AGES website .
Parents who have questions or notice any health problems in their child can contact the telephone health advice service at 1450. There they will receive medical assessments and recommendations for further action around the clock.
In case of acute emergencies, please contact the following emergency numbers:
- Poison Control Center - 24-hour emergency hotline: 01 406 43 43
- Rescue 144
- Doctors' Emergency Service 141
- European emergency number 112