Crime against children: Blackmailer poisons products of a well-known brand
3 May 07:11
A man who laced jars of baby food with rat poison has been arrested in Austria. The suspect attempted to blackmail the company HiPP and demanded millions of euros in exchange for ensuring the products’ safety. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the BBC.
Police in the eastern state of Burgenland have already detained the 39-year-old suspect. This occurred after the dangerous substance was discovered in jars of baby food. A police spokesperson noted that details of the circumstances surrounding the arrest are not being disclosed at this time.
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The Austrian press has learned that HiPP received an email demanding a ransom. The email arrived on March 27, but the company noticed it too late.
The message was sent to an email account that was checked only once every two to three weeks. The six-day payment deadline has already expired.
Product recall: three countries at risk
The first dangerous incident was reported two weeks ago. Poison was found in one of the jars of carrot and potato puree. This forced HiPP to immediately recall its entire product line.
In total, law enforcement and security services seized five jars containing poison. They were found in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
The products were removed from store shelves before consumers could purchase them. However, the risk remains. Authorities believe that at least one more contaminated jar may still be in circulation.
How to identify a dangerous jar: instructions for parents
Parents are urged to be extremely careful when choosing food. Be sure to check the packaging before use.
What to look for:
- Lid: Check that it is not damaged and is tightly sealed.
- Seal: there should be no signs that the jar has been opened.
- Smell: any unusual or unpleasant odor is a reason to discard the product.
- Labeling: Pay special attention to the bottom of the glass container. Look for a white sticker with a red circle—this is a sign of a counterfeit product.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety warns of the consequences. If a child has already eaten this brand’s puree, monitor their health.
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice signs of bleeding in your child. Symptoms of poisoning may also include extreme weakness or sudden paleness of the skin. Delaying treatment can be life-threatening for the child.
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