Five Fruenok baby-food products found tampered with amid poisoning probe

Israel's Health Ministry said Friday that two more Fruenok baby-food products were found containing the sedatives clonazepam and lorazepam, bringing the total number of contaminated products identified in the case to five. Three of the products were handed over by families whose children were hospitalized after eating the purées, while the other two were sampled directly from the shelves of the Zol Uvegadol chain in Jerusalem.

So far, authorities have reported two incidents in which five children were hospitalized over suspected exposure to benzodiazepines. All of the children have since been discharged, and the ministry said other similar cases it reviewed were ruled out. All five contaminated products were linked to two Jerusalem branches of the chain, on Jaffa Street 113 and Jaffa Street 214. Tests at the importer’s warehouses and at additional retail locations across the country did not show similar findings.

The ministry said there is an indication that the five products were opened unlawfully before purchase. After reviewing import data, the supply chain, the importer’s storage sites, and the manufacturer’s declaration in the Czech Republic, officials said there is so far no sign of a failure in production, import, or storage. Following the findings, the Jerusalem district physician signed administrative stop-sale orders for the two Zol Uvegadol branches where the products were sold.

Health officials stressed that at this stage there is no indication of a broader defect in the Fruenok brand and no decision was made to recall all its products. The investigation is continuing under Israel Police, which has received all the information gathered in the case.