Jars of baby food by HiPP containing rat poison have also been identified in Czechia and Slovakia, the company said, adding that retailers have already withdrawn all its products from sale as a precaution.

The discovery follows a wider investigation that began in Austria and has since spread across Central Europe.

The case first emerged after Austrian authorities warned that certain jars of HiPP baby food may have been deliberately tampered with. Initial laboratory tests confirmed the presence of rat poison. The company later acknowledged the findings and said it is cooperating fully with investigators.

Czech police said the case is being handled by South Moravian criminal investigators in coordination with prosecutors in Brno. In a statement shared on social media, officers sought to calm public concern, saying the overall threat level remains low.

HiPP’s Czech branch confirmed that suspicious jars had also been seized in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The company stressed that the incident is not linked to its production process or quality control systems, describing it as a criminal act affecting distribution.

Consumers are advised to check packaging carefully. Warning signs include a white label with a red circle on the base, damaged or previously opened lids, missing safety seals, or an unusual smell. Authorities also noted that affected jars may not produce the typical “click” sound when opened.

The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Agency said it is acting on information provided by Austrian authorities, warning that deliberately contaminated baby food may be present on the Czech market.

According to German media outlet Der Spiegel, investigators are treating the case as an attempted blackmail operation. The suspect is believed to have added rat poison to selected jars, a substance that interferes with blood clotting.

The affected product line is reported to include a vegetable-based blend with carrots and potatoes. As a precaution, the retail chain SPAR removed all HiPP baby food from its shelves across Austria, including stores operating under Spar, Eurospar, Interspar and Maximarkt.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more