Austrian authorities on Sunday warned parents not to use certain baby food products after a tampered jar tested positive for rat poison, prompting a nationwide recall and a broader safety alert.

Police said the investigation began after a suspicious 190-gram jar of HiPP “Carrots with Potatoes” was reported by a customer in Schützen am Gebirge, a town near Eisenstadt in eastern Austria. The jar showed signs of manipulation and was seized before it could be consumed. Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed the presence of a toxic substance consistent with rat poison.

The case is part of a wider investigation involving multiple countries. Authorities reported that similarly marked jars had been identified in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where initial tests also detected contamination.

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety said HiPP initiated a recall of the affected 190-gram product and, as a precaution, expanded the recall to include its full range of baby food jars sold through SPAR Austria, one of the country’s largest grocery retailers.

Officials warned that it cannot be ruled out that a dangerous substance was deliberately introduced into the jars, adding that consuming even a small amount could pose a life-threatening risk.

Consumers who purchased HiPP baby food products from SPAR Austria were instructed not to use them and to return the items to stores for a full refund, even without proof of purchase.

Authorities also guided identifying potentially tampered products, noting that suspicious jars may have a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom, damaged or previously opened lids, missing safety seals, or unusual odors.

Parents and caregivers were advised not to open any questionable jars, avoid feeding them to children, keep them separate from other food items, and wash their hands thoroughly after handling.

The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine how the contamination occurred and whether additional products may be affected.