Rat poison found in baby food in Austria

Austrian police reported that rat poison was found in one of the cans of HiPP baby food, seized due to safety concerns. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on April 19.

HIPP previously stated that it was impossible to exclude the possibility of a dangerous substance entering the product and that cans of HiPP vegetables, carrots and potatoes could have been adulterated, after which the products began to be recalled from more than a thousand supermarkets. According to the inspection, the consumption of the contents of cans can be life-threatening. A police statement said there was a sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the damaged cans, and the lid was already open, damaged, or missing a protective seal.

"According to the information we have, this critical situation is related to an external criminal interference affecting the SPAR Austria distribution channel," HiPP representatives said.

The manufacturer advised customers not to consume the contents of cans purchased from SPAR Austria. They stated that the buyers will receive a full refund for the returned items. The police also advised customers to wash their hands thoroughly if they came into contact with the jar.

A ready-made disaster: the case of mass botulism infection has reached court

Those involved in the deaths of two people and the poisoning of 350 others face up to 10 years in prison.

In Italy last December, a mother and her 15-year-old daughter died after a Christmas dinner without waiting for medical help. Italian media speculated that the women had been poisoned by botulinum toxin, which could be contained in the food. Later, in March 2026, it became clear. that they were poisoned with ricin poison, for which there is no antidote.