Suspect Arrested in Contaminated Baby Food Poisoning Case

Israeli police have arrested a man in his 40s from southern Israel on suspicion of introducing sedative substances into baby food products. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in an investigation that began two months ago.

The investigation, led by the Jerusalem District's anti-crime unit, focuses on how sedative drugs, identified as clonazepam and lorazepam, were placed in "Prunok" brand fruit purees. These are powerful benzodiazepine medications typically used for anxiety and sleep disorders.

The case first came to light when four infants were hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem exhibiting unusual drowsiness and weakness. Subsequent laboratory tests by the Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of the drugs in the baby food jars purchased from two branches of the "Zol U'Begalol" (Cheap and Big) supermarket chain in Jerusalem.

Authorities have so far identified five contaminated products, three provided by families of hospitalized children and two sampled directly from store shelves. In all cases, the jars showed signs of having been tampered with before purchase. The police are exploring the possibility of additional individuals being involved and are working to trace the source of the sedative materials and the method of their introduction into the products.

The Ministry of Health had previously issued administrative closure orders for the two "Zol U'Begalol" branches where the contaminated products were bought, though the supermarket chain has appealed these orders. The arrested suspect is scheduled to appear in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court tomorrow for a remand hearing.