Lead

Four infants were hospitalized in Jerusalem after consuming fruit puree laced with anesthetic substances, an incident that has evolved into a broad investigation involving Israel's domestic security agency, the Shin Bet. The children, two one-year-olds and two 3-year-olds, were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after exhibiting signs of confusion and weakness, according to the Jerusalem Post. Blood tests found traces of benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used in sedatives and psychiatric medications, and all four children were discharged in stable condition.

Coverage Comparison

Reports by the Jerusalem Post traced the timeline of the investigation, noting that the Israel Police opened an inquiry over the weekend after confirming that three of the infants had consumed baby puree from the brand Prinok. A subsequent report detailed that the Shin Bet had joined the investigation, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of clonazepam and lorazepam in jars of Prinok baby fruit puree sold at two branches of the Zol Begadol supermarket chain in Jerusalem. The Health Ministry issued immediate closure orders for those branches and instructed hospitals in the Jerusalem area to increase vigilance for similar cases.

Later reporting revealed that the Health Ministry had announced a total of five tainted products were found during the investigation, with three handed over by customers and two found on store shelves. All five showed signs of tampering prior to purchase, leading the ministry to ban the two stores from selling food and cosmetic products until they establish a quality assurance system.

A separate story highlighted that the Israel Police had opened an investigation into allegedly tainted Prinok baby food in May, but the Health Ministry did not request that police test the product for suspicious substances at that time. According to a KAN News report cited by the Jerusalem Post, two young girls were hospitalized in May after consuming the food, and the jar was only tested this week, after the subsequent hospitalizations. The jar was found to have been laced with sedatives.

Key Claims

  • Four infants were hospitalized in Jerusalem after consuming fruit puree containing anesthetic substances, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Blood tests on the children found traces of benzodiazepines.
  • The children were discharged from the hospital in stable condition.
  • The Jerusalem Police opened an investigation after confirming that three of the infants had consumed Prinok baby puree.
  • No suspects had been identified as of the initial report.
  • The Shin Bet joined the investigation, according to a later report.
  • Laboratory tests found clonazepam and lorazepam in jars of Prinok puree purchased at two Zol Begadol branches on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem.
  • The Health Ministry issued closure orders for those branches and later banned them from selling food and cosmetic products pending a new quality assurance system.
  • A total of five tainted products were found, with three from customers and two on store shelves; all showed signs of tampering.
  • The Health Ministry called on parents to monitor for behavioral changes such as unusual sleepiness, exhaustion, or confused speech.
  • In May, two girls were hospitalized after consuming Prinok baby food, but the jar was not tested until weeks later, according to a KAN report cited by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The jar from the May incident was tested this week and found to contain sedatives.

Perspectives

Randi Company

Randi, the company that markets Prinok, said it is committed to the health of infants, describing its products as high-quality and tested by an accredited laboratory at the production plant and again upon entry into the country by the Health Ministry. The company noted that tests at the manufacturing plant showed no unusual findings and suggested external interference with the product, given its wide distribution.

Health Ministry

A spokesperson for the Health Ministry confirmed laboratory tests and issued closure orders for the Zol Begadol branches. The ministry also instructed hospitals to report similar cases and announced the ban on selling food and cosmetics at the affected stores until a quality assurance system is established.

Israel Police

Police opened an investigation and, according to a KAN report, said they alerted the Health Ministry of the May incident but were not given further instructions on handling the potentially tainted product. The jar was kept as evidence until it was tested this week, after the additional hospitalizations.