*Austria: Rat poison found in baby food*

Austria(Daily Roshni News International…Report by Muhammad Amir Siddique Journalist Vienna Austria) Police in Austria have confirmed that rat poison has been found in a jar of German food company ‘HiPP’, after which a large-scale recall has been carried out in more than a thousand supermarket chain ‘Spar’ stores across the country.

According to police, a 190-gram sample of baby food ‘Carrot & Potatoes’ was tested in Burgenland following a consumer complaint, in which the toxic substance was found. HiPP had previously warned that they could not rule out the possibility that the product had been tampered with and said that the use of the poison could be fatal.

Authorities have advised the public that signs of an affected jar may include a sticker with a red circle at the bottom, an open or damaged lid, the safety seal missing or an unusual smell.

Initial tests on similar samples seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia also showed signs of the toxic substance, prompting an alert to Austria based on German investigations.

Hipp said that initial information indicated that the situation was likely the result of external criminal interference, linked to the distribution chain of Spar Stores Austria.

A Spar Stores spokesperson said the recall was a precautionary measure and involved around 1,500 stores in Austria, but stores in other countries were not affected.

Both Spar Stores and Hipp have advised customers not to use any affected jars purchased from Spar Austria and will be given a full refund if the jars are returned. Police have also advised that anyone who touched the jars should wash their hands thoroughly.