Disturbing Discovery: Rat Poison Found in HiPP Baby Food in Austria

Mon Apr 20 2026 13:38:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An alarming report has emerged from Austria where a jar of HiPP baby food was found contaminated with rat poison. Authorities are urging parents to exercise caution and inspect baby food purchases to prevent potential harm.

In Austria, police have reported the discovery of rat poison in a jar of HiPP baby food, prompting a warning for consumers. Affected jars, particularly of the carrot and potato variety, were supposedly tampered with, and at least one more contaminated jar is believed to be in circulation. HiPP has initiated a recall of affected products sold at Spar supermarkets in Austria, while urging parents to remain vigilant for tampering signs.

Police in Austria have urged people to be vigilant after a sample of HiPP baby food was found to contain rat poison.

The poisoned jar of carrot and potato purée was reported by a customer, and thankfully, their baby had not consumed the food.

The jar had apparently been tampered with, and authorities believe at least one more poisoned jar is still in circulation. Guidance has been issued on how to recognize tampered jars.

Although the police have not confirmed an alleged extortion attempt, they noted that the warning originated from German investigators, with reports of tampered jars also coming from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

HiPP has recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria, indicating that consuming them may be potentially life-threatening.

According to the German-based company, the recall is not due to a product or quality defect and that the jars left the factory in perfect condition. Rather, it relates to a criminal act currently being investigated by authorities.

The recall follows the examination of these tampered jars which confirmed the presence of rat poison.

As a precaution, Spar has removed HiPP baby food from additional stores across other countries.

Austrian authorities are advising consumers to inspect for damaged or open lids, missing safety seals, abnormal odours, or white stickers with red circles at the base of jars.

Parents are urged to consult a doctor if their children exhibit any signs of bleeding, extreme weakness, or paleness after consuming the affected products.

Customers who purchased HiPP jars at Eurospar, Interspar, and Maximarkt are advised not to consume them and to return them for a refund. There are more than 1,500 Spar shops in Austria.

Authorities have clarified that baby food sold in other shops remains unaffected, as does HiPP's baby formula.

This incident adds to a growing concern after two other baby brands faced widespread recalls due to contamination fears earlier in the year, affecting Nestle and Danone.

Those incidents were linked to a toxin named cereulide found in specific batches of baby formula, prompting significant health warnings.