Possible New Poisoning Case Tied to Prinoook Baby Puree Under Investigation

A new suspected poisoning case may be linked to the ongoing Prinoook baby puree scandal, this time in Holon. According to the report, a toddler’s mother said symptoms appeared after he ate the puree, but the connection has not yet been confirmed and the case is still in an initial review. The Health Ministry has not yet commented on the Holon case or said it is related to the wider investigation.

The original case came to light after three toddlers were hospitalized on Thursday at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem, after allegedly consuming Prinoook products. Health Ministry notices said the investigation focuses on fruit purees sold in two branches of the Zol UveGadol chain on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem.

Lab tests carried out during the probe found benzodiazepines, including clonazepam, known as Klonex, and lorazepam, known as Lorivan. These are prescription drugs that affect the central nervous system and are not supposed to be in food for babies and toddlers.

Following the findings, closure orders were issued for the relevant branches, and police opened an investigation together with the Health Ministry. Authorities stressed that the inquiry is still ongoing and that no final conclusions have been reached about how the substances got into the puree. The new Holon report is also still being checked, with no medical or official findings yet confirming a link to the Jerusalem cases.