Rat poison in baby food

HiPP Recall: Second Jar Sold in Burgenland

(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

After it became known late Friday evening that baby food manufacturer HiPP had to remove all products from the shelves at Spar and Maximarkt due to a “life-threatening” situation, the next shocking news followed on Sunday: A second tampered jar is apparently in circulation in Burgenland.

In the case involving possible extortion using poisoned HiPP baby food jars, a second tampered container is believed to have been purchased. “We assume that at least one more jar is out there,” said police spokesperson Helmut Marban on Sunday. The product could, like the jar seized on Saturday in Schützen am Gebirge in the Eisenstadt district, be laced with rat poison. 

The Eisenstadt Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into intentional endangerment of the public, as announced by spokesperson Petra Bauer. A “toxicological analysis” of the jar has been ordered. According to Bauer, the priority now is “averting danger.” 

Police urge caution
The police urged caution, particularly regarding this potentially tampered-with container, which is likely still in circulation. According to the current state of the investigation, suspicious products can be identified by a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the glass. Additionally, the lid may be open or damaged, and the safety seal may be missing, resulting in the absence of the characteristic “click” sound upon first opening. The police are refusing to publish a picture of it due to the risk of copycats. 

Potentially 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.”(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

On Saturday, it became known that the German company is apparently being blackmailed. “This is an external, criminal act,” HiPP stated. There is talk of a blackmail letter that is said to have arrived at HiPP headquarters. No further details are available at this time. However, Marban did not confirm that the case involves blackmail. There are ongoing investigations in Germany, which he does not wish to interfere with. The police are continuing to ask for tips at the phone number [phone]. Many calls have already been received from concerned citizens, according to Marban. 

At Spar, all HiPP products have been removed from the shelves.(Bild: Stefan Steinkogler)

The jar most recently seized in Schützen am Gebirge was purchased at a Spar store in Eisenstadt, Marban added. A tip received by investigators likely referred to this store; following initial inquiries in Germany, the information was officially forwarded to local police. Investigators suspect that the second jar was also purchased at Spar in Eisenstadt.

Case known since Friday evening
The case involving baby food manufacturer HiPP became known late Friday evening. The “Carrot and Potato Vegetable Jar” (190 grams) had been contaminated with a dangerous substance and was potentially “life-threatening.” Spar immediately removed all items of the affected variety from its shelves.

The manufacturer’s corporate communications with the “Krone” on Saturday were mixed: everything from warnings of “life-threatening danger” to reassurances and statements of uncertainty were heard. Since babies, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk, and the substance—which was not initially disclosed—is rat poison, the situation is considered critical. The Ministry of Health and the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) stated that “special caution is advised until the case is fully clarified.” In suspected cases, medical professionals should be contacted or the Poison Control Center’s emergency hotline at 01-406-43-43 should be called. 

Czech Republic and Slovakia Also Affected
A total of three jars have been “seized” in Burgenland so far—one of which emitted a strange odor when opened by a customer. Labeled jars were also seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

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