Police in eastern Austria have arrested a 39-year-old suspect after rat poison was discovered in jars of HiPP baby food, leading to an urgent product recall across several Central European countries. The contaminated jars were found on supermarket shelves, prompting a swift investigation by the Burgenland State Criminal Police Office under the direction of prosecutors.
Recall Across Multiple Countries
HiPP, a leading baby food brand, recalled its products from stores in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic after the contamination came to light last month. In a statement issued on Saturday, the company expressed being "greatly relieved" by the arrest and pledged to provide further updates as verified details emerge. The recall affected 190-gram jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes, intended for infants aged five months and older, which were sold at SPAR supermarkets in Austria. Vendors in Slovakia and the Czech Republic also removed all HiPP baby jars from sale as a precautionary measure.
Investigation Details
The investigation began after a tampered jar was purchased at a supermarket in the city of Eisenstadt on April 18. Authorities confirmed that a total of five tampered jars were seized before they could be consumed. The suspect is currently being questioned, but no further details have been released. The Burgenland public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into suspected "intentional endangerment of the public." An expert report on the toxicity of the poison is still pending, according to the Austrian Press Agency.
HiPP emphasized that the recall was not due to any product or quality defect on its part, stating that the jars left its facility in "perfect condition." Police noted that a customer had reported a jar appearing to have been tampered with, but no one had consumed the baby food. Authorities continue to urge caution and advise consumers to check their purchases.
