Is it dangerous to eat?

Large-scale recall of HiPP baby food

According to the manufacturer, the potentially affected batch is “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jars (190 grams).”(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

With the words “ATTENTION! Product recall: HiPP baby food jars at SPAR Austria,” a major recall campaign was launched in Austria late Friday evening. The manufacturer issued an urgent warning of life-threatening danger. Products sold by Spar or Maximarkt could have been tampered with. The following day, reassurances were given that only a “theoretical risk” had been ruled out. Foodwatch criticizes.

According to its own statements, HiPP has recalled its “entire range of baby food jars” from grocery giant Spar and its subsidiary Maximarkt. It cannot be ruled out that a “dangerous substance” was introduced into the “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar” (190 grams) “through tampering.” Whether this actually happened or was merely a threat is unknown.

“Return all jars”
"Consuming such a jar can be life-threatening," HiPP nevertheless emphasized overnight. Although only one specific jar was named, customers were asked not to use any HiPP jars they purchased at Spar or Maximarkt. They can be returned at any store without a receipt.

Look for a sticker on the bottom of the jar
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.”

According to the manufacturer, the potentially affected batch is “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar (190 grams).”(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

Company: Recall “as a precaution”
The recall was “carried out as a precaution to rule out even a theoretical risk,” the HiPP press office stated on Saturday. “If a child shows no symptoms, there is no cause for concern. If parents are unsure or notice symptoms, they should please contact a pediatrician or emergency medical services.”

It remained unclear exactly which hazardous substance or potential symptoms were involved and how many jars were affected by the recall. The HiPP Parent Service in Austria can be reached at [phone]—now also on weekends (initially, it was stated to be available only on weekdays).

The text of HiPP’s late-night announcement

It cannot be ruled out that a hazardous substance was introduced into the product“HiPP Vegetable Jar: Carrot with Potato” (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].

Criticism from Foodwatch
Meanwhile, the first criticisms are emerging: “If there is a suspicion that a food product is unsafe for consumption or, as apparently the case here, could even pose a health risk to babies, then the manufacturer must communicate all relevant information completely, clearly, and publicly,” Foodwatch Austria stated on Saturday. While it must be acknowledged that in the case of suspected tampering and ongoing investigations, not all information is available, “in such a situation, the principle of the highest possible proactive transparency applies,” said Indra Kley-Schöneich, director of Foodwatch Austria.

Salzburg State Councilor Wolfgang Fürweger (FPÖ) warned that the products could affect more than just infants. Older people and people with disabilities may also have purchased the affected items. It cannot be ruled out that the jars could also be consumed in nursing and care facilities: “Special sensitivity is required here when it comes to vulnerable groups.”

Police Ask for Information
In any case, the Burgenland State Police Directorate is now conducting the investigation and is asking for the public’s assistance. According to reports, there was a tip that such jars may have appeared “in the Burgenland area.” Investigators are accepting “information regarding any tampered baby food jars” at the phone number [phone].

The Ministry of Health is also involved—however, no further details could be disclosed at this time, according to a response to an APA inquiry from the office of State Secretary for Health Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ).

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.