The jar was reported by a customer in the Eisenstadt-Umgebung district and had not been consumed, police said. Similar marked jars were also seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where early laboratory tests found a toxic additive, according to authorities.
What the HiPP baby food recall covers
The recall in Austria applies to HiPP baby food jars purchased at SPAR Austria, including SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt stores. In an official HiPP recall notice, the company said the affected products left its facility in proper condition and that production, quality and control systems remain intact.
HiPP said consumers should not feed or consume any HiPP baby food jars bought at SPAR Austria. The company said the products can be returned to SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR or Maximarkt locations for a full refund, even without a receipt.
How to identify a suspicious jar
Police and health officials urged parents and caregivers to check jars carefully before opening them. Warning signs include a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the jar, an opened or damaged lid, a missing safety seal or missing “pop” sound when opened, and an unusual or spoiled smell.
Authorities advised consumers not to open or use any jar that appears suspicious. Police said the product should be kept away from other food, handled with caution and reported to Burgenland police at +43 59133 10-3333.
Health warning for parents and caregivers
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety said rat poison often contains bromadiolone, a vitamin K antagonist that can interfere with blood clotting. Symptoms can appear two to five days after ingestion and may include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruising or blood in the stool.
Parents should seek medical help immediately if a child may have eaten the affected baby food and develops bleeding, severe weakness or unusual paleness. AGES said treatment, including vitamin K, can be effective when medical care is provided.
Why this case is different from older baby food recalls
The HiPP case adds to years of concern over baby food safety, but investigators are treating it differently because the evidence points to suspected criminal tampering rather than routine contamination. In the United States, regulators warned in 2023 that WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches could contain dangerous levels of lead after children were found with elevated blood lead levels.
Another earlier case involved the Beech-Nut rice cereal recall in 2021, when one lot of infant rice cereal was recalled after samples tested above federal guidance levels for inorganic arsenic. Those cases centered on contaminants in products or ingredients, while the Austrian HiPP recall is being handled as a police investigation into possible manipulation.
What consumers should do now
Consumers who bought HiPP baby food jars from SPAR Austria should not use them and should return them for a refund. Parents who believe a child may have eaten food from a suspicious jar should contact medical services and tell health workers the child may have consumed HiPP baby food linked to the recall.
The investigation remains active in Austria and across affected markets. HiPP said it is coordinating with authorities and will release further confirmed safety information as it becomes available.
