HiPP recalls baby food in Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic due to rat poison

The baby food manufacturer HiPP has announced a recall of part of its products after rat poison was detected in samples taken in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the Associated Press reports.

According to authorities, the recall concerns 190-gram jars of carrot and potato purée for babies aged five months and older, which were sold in SPAR supermarkets in Austria. The first positive test result was obtained on Saturday.

The company stated that the products left the factory in proper condition and that the incident is linked to a “criminal act” currently under investigation. HiPP stressed that the issue is not related to a manufacturing defect.

Austrian police said that suspicious jars may have a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom, as well as signs of tampering or a damaged lid. In some cases, the characteristic “click” when opening may be missing.

As a precaution, HiPP has recalled the entire batch sold in SPAR stores, including EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt chains. Customers are being offered full refunds even without a receipt. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the products have also been withdrawn from sale.

According to Austria’s food safety agency, the substance involved may be bromadiolone — an anticoagulant that disrupts blood clotting and can cause internal bleeding. Symptoms of poisoning may appear within 2–5 days.

By Vugar Khalilov