Parents across Central Europe are being urged to check baby food products after rat poison was discovered in some jars of HiPP baby food.
Several countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia, have removed affected products from shelves after contaminated jars were found over the weekend. Authorities said the suspected tampering involved 190-gram jars of HiPP baby food made with carrots and potatoes for children aged five months and older.
In Austria, the first positive sample was detected on Saturday. Officials later said they were searching for another jar that may have been sold in Eisenstadt. Austrian Health Minister Korinna Schumann described the case as deeply disturbing and warned parents, kindergartens, and daycare centres to be extremely cautious.
Police believe the poisoning may have happened after the jars left production facilities. Germany-based HiPP said the recall was not caused by any production defect and that the products left its factory in perfect condition.
As a precaution, SPAR supermarkets in Austria have withdrawn all HiPP baby food jars. Retailers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have also removed products, while Slovenia has started pulling all HiPP items from stores.
Health officials warned that rat poison may contain bromadiolone, a chemical that prevents blood clotting. Symptoms can include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising, or blood in stool, and may appear two to five days after ingestion. Parents are advised not to use suspicious jars, especially those with damaged lids, unusual smells, or missing vacuum seals.
Investigators are now treating the case as intentional public endangerment, while families await answers.