Austria Arrests Suspect in Baby Food Poisoning
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- A 39-year-old man has been arrested in Austria in connection with a baby food extortion plot involving rat poison found in HiPP baby food jars, prompting recalls in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
- Five contaminated jars containing carrot and potato purée were intercepted before consumption, and the case is linked to a ransom demand for over $2 million sent to HiPP via email.
- The ransom email went unnoticed initially as it was sent to an infrequently checked address, and authorities warn that at least one poisoned jar may still be in circulation.
- Parents are advised to avoid jars with damaged lids, missing safety seals, unusual smells, or a white sticker with a red circle on the base and to seek medical attention if babies exhibit symptoms like bleeding, severe weakness, or unusual paleness.
- The suspect is currently in custody and being questioned by police in the Burgenland region of Austria.
