Rat poison found in HiPP baby food jar in Austria, police say

Police in Austria have warned about potentially poisoned HiPP baby food circulating in the country, after a sample of the brand's purée tested positive for rat poison.

In a statement, police in Burgenland in eastern Austria said the poisoned food had been found in a carrot and potato jar which had been reported by a customer in the regional capital, Eisenstadt.

The jar had apparently been tampered with, but not consumed by customer's baby.

On Saturday, HiPP recalled its entire range of jarred purées sold in Spar supermarkets in Austria, saying consuming them many be potentially "life-threatening".

It is assumed at least one more poisoned jar is in circulation, a police spokesman told the Austria Press Agency (APA) on Sunday.

In its statement, the Burgenland police said the warning about the German-Swiss brand's products was being issued following ongoing investigations in neighbouring Germany.

As part of these investigations, it said authorities had been informed about potentially contaminated HiPP jars circulating in Eisenstadt.

There police seized the carrots and potatoes jar, which was found to contain rat poison after an examination on Saturday.

Authorities are urging vigilance about any suspicious products, warning parents to look for damaged or open lids, a missing safety seal, unusual or spoiled odour, and a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom of the glass jar.

A toxic additive was also found in similar jars seized by police after laboratory tests in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the police statement said.

"Should you possess HiPP baby food with this marking or notice any irregularities: do not open it," it warned.

"Do not consume it under any circumstances or offer it to a small child."

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety warned parents whose babies have consumed the food to consult a doctor if their children show signs of bleeding, extreme weakness or paleness.

The Eisenstadt public prosecutor's office has also launched an investigation into intentional endangerment of the public, APA reported.

Customers have also been asked not to consume HiPP jars purchased at Eurospar, Interspar and Maximarkt, and to return them for a refund.

There are more than 1,500 Spar shops across Austria

Police previously stressed baby food sold in other shops remained unaffected by the recall.

HiPP's baby formula was also unaffected.

The incident comes just a few months after two other baby brands had to issue wides-cale recalls of infant formula over contamination fears.

In January and February, Nestle and Danone issued recalls of their baby formula brands in more than 60 countries, including in the UK, after babies fell ill.

Specific batches were understood to have been contaminated with toxin cereulide, which can trigger nausea and vomiting when consumed. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or when making baby milk.