Five Frinook baby puree products found tampered with, Health Ministry says

Israel’s Health Ministry said Friday that two more Frinook baby puree products were found to contain the sedatives clonazepam and lorazepam, bringing the total number of contaminated products identified to five. All of the findings were traced to two branches of the Zol U’Vagadol supermarket chain in Jerusalem, while checks at the importer’s warehouses and other sales points found no irregularities.

According to the ministry, three of the products were handed over by families whose children were hospitalized after eating the puree, and two others were sampled directly from store shelves. So far, there have been two incidents in which five children were hospitalized on suspicion of exposure to benzodiazepine-family drugs. All of the children have since been discharged, and the ministry said other similar cases that were examined were ruled out.

The five affected products were linked to the Zol U’Vagadol branches at 113 Jaffa Street and 214 Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. The ministry said the products appeared to have been opened unlawfully before purchase. After reviewing import records, the supply chain, the importer’s warehouses, and the manufacturer’s declaration in the Czech Republic, officials said they had found no sign of a failure in production, import, or storage.

A district physician in Jerusalem signed administrative closure orders for the two stores where the products were sold. The Health Ministry said there was still no indication of a broad defect in Frinook products, so no general recall was ordered. The investigation remains under way by Israel Police, which received all of the collected material in the case.