Rat poisoning: Food laced with rat-poison chemical brodifacoum identified after six fall ill in Logan
Health authorities have identified the food source behind a poisoning incident that sent five people to hospital, including a child, after they all tested positive for the active ingredient in rat poison.
Experts have narrowed down the culprit to products made in the kitchen of a Logan home that were gifted or sold in the local area from mid-September 2025.
The first five victims, who were admitted to the Logan and Princess Alexandra hospitals earlier this month, all tested positive to brodifacoum, a chemical found in rat poison baits that, if ingested, causes bleeding gums, unexplained bruises, blood in urine and stools and swelling joints and can be fatal.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A sixth person, a family member of some of the other victims, was also identified through contact tracing.
All are now well and receiving treatment at home, according to Queensland Health, which first alerted the public to the poisoning cluster on October 24.
Foods that have tested positive to the poison include a homemade unlabelled capsicum and chilli paste, a homemade marinated eggplant and a homemade dough.
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said there was not believed to be an an going risk to the community.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have issued an updated alert to clinicians in the Logan area in case there are other people who may have consumed the products and have not yet been identified,” Dr McDougall said.“We are pleased that a food source link has been identified between all three families in the cluster and all patients are well and improving clinically.“It is reassuring that no further cases outside the family clusters have been identified, and we are confident that the products are not being currently made or distributed.”
An investigation by Queensland Health and Queensland Police is underway to identify how rat poison ended up in the food.
Anyone who believes they may have eaten the contaminated food or experiencing unexplained bleeding should seek medical advice.
People who have any of the homemade products at home, including in their fridge or freezer, should throw them in the bin immediately.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
