Batches "tampered with"

Large-scale recall of HiPP baby food

Here is an archive photo—according to the manufacturer, the affected batch is “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jars (190 grams).”(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger/Daniel Scharinger)

Late Friday evening, a major recall was announced in Austria with the message “ATTENTION! Product recall of HiPP baby food jars at SPAR Austria.” The manufacturer is issuing an urgent warning of life-threatening danger. The product may have been tampered with.

According to the statement, HiPP has recalled its “entire range of baby food jars” from grocery giant Spar. It cannot be ruled out that a dangerous substance may have been introduced into the “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar” (190 grams) “through tampering.”

“Consuming such a jar can be life-threatening,” the statement emphasized. The Burgenland State Police Directorate confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Look for a sticker on the bottom of the jar
According to initial information, the affected products can be identified by a “marking on the bottom of the jar in the form of a white sticker with a red circle.”

The text of HiPP’s statement

It cannot be ruled out that a hazardous substance was introduced into the“HiPP Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar” (190 grams ) through tampering.

Consuming such a jar can be life-threatening.

To ensure that consumption goes unnoticed, customers are asked not to consume HiPP baby food jars purchased at SPAR Austria for safety reasons.

All customers who have purchased the products can return them to the nearest SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR, or Maximarkt store. Customers will be refunded the purchase price even without a receipt.

The Burgenland State Police Directorate asks for your help:

According to current information, the affected products can be identified by a white sticker with a red circle attached to the bottom of the jar.

The Burgenland State Police Directorate is accepting information regarding the recall of HiPP baby food jars containing potentially life-threatening ingredients at the phone number [phone], extension 3333.

You can reach the HiPP Parent Service Austria at [phone].

Further details were not immediately available. It also remained unclear what substance might be involved in the potential tampering and how parents should proceed if they have already given their child such a jar.

According to the press release, the HiPP Parent Service Austria can be reached at [phone]—but only on weekdays ...

Police Ask for Tips
In any case, the Burgenland State Police Directorate is now conducting the investigation and is asking for the public’s assistance. Investigators are accepting “information regarding any tampered baby food jars” at the phone number [phone].

Just last January, a major recall of baby food was announced in Austria: The Nestlé Group had recalled infant food products, and several cases of illness were reported. At the time, the Ministry of Health referred to it as the “largest recall in the company’s history.” Since then, Nestlé has been working to regain trust and realign its organization.