Health Ministry restricts two Zol VeGadol branches in Jerusalem after drug traces found in baby food

Israel’s Health Ministry has imposed strict restrictions on two Zol VeGadol supermarket branches on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem after pharmaceutical substances were found in Frinook baby purees. Inspectors identified five products containing clonazepam and lorazepam, and in every case there were signs that the packages had been opened improperly before purchase.

Five children were hospitalized after eating purees bought at those branches, but all of them have since been discharged. Starting today, the stores are barred from selling food or cosmetics.

The branches will only be allowed to resume operations after submitting an approved quality-control plan. The ministry said additional checks at the importer’s warehouses and at other sales points found no abnormal findings.