Rat Poison Found in Baby Food; Nébih Issues Warning

Magyar Nemzet reports on a disturbing incident that has prompted an urgent public warning from Hungarian authorities. The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) has alerted the public following an alert from Austrian police regarding contaminated HiPP baby food. Specifically, jars of "carrot-potato" flavored HiPP baby food, weighing 190 grams, were found to contain rat poison in Schützen am Gebirge, Austria. The contamination has since been reported in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well, raising serious concerns for consumers across the region.

Nébih is urging extreme caution for anyone who may have purchased this product in Austria. They advise against opening the affected jars and, most importantly, against feeding them to children. The office has immediately initiated investigations within its jurisdiction. Crucially, Nébih has confirmed that products manufactured in HiPP's Hungarian factories are not part of this contamination issue affecting the Austrian, Czech, and Slovak markets. Furthermore, there has been no information received through the EU's rapid alert system (RASFF) suggesting that Hungary is involved in this incident.

According to the Austrian police, the contaminated jars were intentionally tampered with. Investigations by the Federal Criminal Office confirmed the presence of rat poison in the seized products. The affected jars are identifiable by a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom, a damaged or already opened lid, and the absence of the safety seal's characteristic popping sound upon first opening. Eyewitness accounts also mentioned an unusual or rotten smell emanating from the contaminated jars.

Nébih has provided clear instructions for consumers who may possess the affected baby food: do not open it, do not feed it to children, isolate it from other food items using gloves, and if contact has occurred, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. It is also advised to avoid contact with other people, especially children, after handling the product. As a precautionary measure, the German HiPP manufacturer has voluntarily withdrawn all affected batches from sale in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.