Israel’s Health Ministry said on Wednesday that laboratory tests on fruit purees sold under the Frinok brand confirmed a serious suspicion: traces of benzodiazepines were found in the products. Benzodiazepines are powerful psychoactive sedatives that are not intended for children and can pose an immediate life-threatening danger to them.
The investigation began this week after an unusual incident in which five toddlers from the Jerusalem area were hospitalized in the city after developing severe neurological symptoms shortly after eating the purees. The symptoms included apathy, extreme drowsiness, and muscle weakness.
The ministry’s announcement confirmed the earlier concern that the products may have caused the children’s condition. No further details were provided in the text about the source of the contamination, the exact product batches, or any additional enforcement steps.
