VIENNA – Austrian police have detained a 39-year-old suspect in connection with a disturbing case of poisoning involving jars of HiPP baby food. The individual is accused of attempting to extort €2 million (approximately $2.3 million) from the German manufacturer by contaminating its products.
The suspect was arrested in the state of Burgenland, where investigators had previously found one jar containing 15 micrograms of rat poison. Authorities reported that this jar was purchased at a supermarket in Eisenstadt. Five more manipulated jars of HiPP baby food were retrieved from Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia before reaching consumers, leading HiPP to issue a product recall.
The investigation began after the manufacturer received a threatening email in March 2026, demanding the ransom within six days. However, HiPP only noticed the email two weeks after the deadline had passed, as it had been sent to a group address that was not monitored regularly.
The police have not disclosed the suspect's identity due to the ongoing nature of the investigation but confirmed he is being questioned. Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, which include charges of endangering public safety and attempted grievous bodily harm.
The case has raised alarm about food safety and the potential public health risks posed by such malicious acts, emphasizing the necessity for robust measures to prevent future incidents.
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