Breakthrough in Baby Food Contamination Case: Suspect Arrested

Police have arrested a man in his 40s from southern Israel in connection with the suspected contamination of baby fruit purees with sedative drugs. The suspect, whose identity was allegedly uncovered by investigators from the Jerusalem District's crime fighting unit, was apprehended at his home on Monday and taken for questioning. Authorities are seeking to extend his detention at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The investigation, which began in June after several children were hospitalized with symptoms consistent with benzodiazepine exposure, is focused on determining how and when the sedative substances, identified as clonazepam and lorazepam, were introduced into the "Prinoch" brand fruit purees. Laboratory tests conducted by the Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of these drugs in puree jars purchased from two branches of the "Zol U'Begadol" supermarket chain in Jerusalem.

Initially, production process flaws were ruled out, and products from the importer were found to be in order. However, the Ministry of Health later announced that five of the contaminated jars had been illegally opened before purchase, strengthening the suspicion of intentional tampering. The police are also investigating the potential involvement of additional individuals and had previously considered a nationalistic motive, though no motive has been attributed to the arrested suspect at this stage.