“Criminal Act”

Empty shelves at Spar, full shelves at the competition

(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

Is my little one in danger? A question many parents likely woke up with on Saturday. All HiPP products were quickly removed from the shelves at Spar and Maximarkt. Details remain scarce. According to information from the “Krone,” the HiPP Group is being blackmailed—the situation is more than serious. It is now clear: A jar seized in Burgenland contained rat poison.

“Life-threatening, it’s not that bad, we know nothing!”—this Saturday, corporate spokespeople gave a wide range of responses to “Krone” inquiries. However, the issue involved babies, children, and even the elderly, who may have been in apparent danger.

But what exactly happened: Late Friday evening, baby food manufacturer HiPP announced that the “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar” (190 grams) had been tampered with using a dangerous substance and could be “life-threatening”— krone.at reported. For now, the Burgenland State Police Department has launched an investigation.

A gaping void: At Spar, all HiPP products were removed from the shelves.(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

“Contact an emergency medical facility” 
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 statement said. Any suspicions should therefore be reported at 059/13310 – 3333. Shortly thereafter, the Federal Criminal Police Office took over the sensitive case. HiPP emphasized on Saturday afternoon that they understood the concern, but: “If a child shows no symptoms, there is no cause for alarm.” If this were the case, however, one should contact a “medical emergency center.” The company declined to disclose what dangerous substance was involved.

Blackmail letter received; cases in Eisenstadt and the Czech Republic
Shortly thereafter, the German company stated: “This is an external, criminal act.” There is talk of a blackmail letter that is said to have arrived at HiPP headquarters—and also of poisoned products in at least two countries. According to the current state of the investigation, a Spar branch in Eisenstadt is affected. Previously, there was also mention of two affected Tesco branches in the Czech Republic, but AGES has corrected its information.

Jar in Burgenland Contained Rat Poison
Meanwhile, an apparently tampered jar of baby food was seized in Schützen am Gebirge, as the Burgenland State Police reported Saturday evening. The jar was reported by a customer; it had not been consumed. A sample of the seized product tested positive for rat poison.

According to reports, two jars have been “seized” in Burgenland so far—one of them because it emitted a strange odor when the customer opened it. Marked jars were also seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Initial laboratory tests revealed a “toxic additive.”

Advice from the Ministry of Health and AGES

For parents and caregivers: If bleeding, extreme weakness, or paleness occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

Be sure to inform medical staff that the affected product was consumed.

Carefully inspect children’s food before consumption (appearance, smell).

Symptoms typically appear with a delay, usually two to five days after ingestion.

Health risks: In suspected cases, it is assumed that substances—possibly including rat poison—have been adulterated. Rat poisons contain various active ingredients with correspondingly different health effects. The most commonly used active ingredient is bromadiolone, a so-called vitamin K antagonist. This inhibits the effect of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. As a result, blood clotting ability may be reduced. Possible consequences include bleeding (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruises, blood in the stool).

Poison Control Center – 24-hour emergency hotline: [phone]

Investigations also underway in Germany
Reference was also made to ongoing investigations in Germany. In this context, local authorities have been informed that additional contaminated HiPP jars may be in circulation in the Eisenstadt area. There is currently no suspect.

Only Spar and Maximarkt affected
Details are scarce so far. Only this much is known: Currently, only the food retailer Spar and its subsidiary Maximarkt are likely to be affected in this country. A tour by the “Krone” on Saturday revealed: Rewe and Müller stores were stocked with HiPP products (including the affected vegetable jar, which was still available for purchase), while Spar stores had a gaping hole on their shelves. All HiPP products had been removed, and warning notices were posted on the shelves.

“Play it safe—this is no joke!”
An employee at a Vienna store warns: “Please play it safe—this is no joke!” Customers should bring all HiPP products to the stores, regardless of batch number or specific jars. It doesn’t matter whether they have a receipt or not. He knew nothing about rat poison.

HiPP informed Spar customers via informational signs on the shelves.(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

The allegedly affected HiPP jar is still available in other stores.(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

Heavy criticism of the lack of transparency
Open communication with those affected looks different, criticizes Foodwatch Austria. The manufacturer must “communicate relevant information fully, clearly, and publicly,” even if it must be taken into account that not all information is available during ongoing investigations. “In such a situation, the highest possible level of proactive transparency is required,” emphasized Foodwatch Director Indra Kley-Schöneich. Transparency that has so far been lacking in communications with concerned customers.