Austrian police have arrested a 39-year-old suspect in connection with the discovery of rat poison in jars of HiPP baby food. The contaminated products were found on supermarket shelves across Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. According to multiple reports, five tampered jars were safely recovered before they could be consumed.
Key Takeaways
Austrian authorities arrested a 39-year-old suspect linked to rat poison found in HiPP baby food jars across central Europe. Five contaminated jars were recovered before consumption, but one remains missing.
- Austrian police arrest man suspected of tampering with baby food
- Rat poison discovered in five HiPP baby food jars in Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia
- Extortion attempt involved a €2m ransom demand sent to HiPP's email address
- Authorities warn parents to check for signs of poisoning or tampered packaging
The investigation began after a customer reported finding a suspicious jar at an SPAR supermarket in Eisenstadt on April 18. Authorities believe the tampering occurred specifically in 190-gram jars of carrot and potato baby food intended for five-month-olds, as reported by CBS News. HiPP, the German manufacturer, issued a recall across affected regions but emphasized that its products left their facility in perfect condition.
The case took another turn when it was revealed that HiPP had been targeted by an extortionist. Per Reuters, an email demanding €2 million was sent to the company on March 27, though the message went unnoticed until after the deadline expired. The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety has advised parents to watch for signs of poisoning in their children, including bleeding or extreme weakness.
Despite the arrest, authorities have not provided further details about the suspect or the investigation's progress. According to BBC, police believe at least one more poisoned jar is still in circulation and have issued guidance on identifying tampered packaging, such as damaged lids or unusual odors.
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