Israel’s Health Ministry said today, June 25, 2026, that it has imposed strict restrictions on two Jerusalem branches of the Zol U’Gadol chain, at 113 Jaffa Street and 214 Jaffa Street, after laboratory tests and extensive inspections linked them to suspected contamination in Prינוק baby food products.
The move follows a police investigation into the brand’s infant purees, after two incidents were reported in which five children, aged 3 and 10 months, and 3 and 9 months, were hospitalized after eating fruit puree bought at those branches. Tests found unusual levels of benzodiazepine-family substances, and all of the children have since been discharged from hospital. Other similar cases that were reported were examined and ruled out.
Since the suspicion emerged, Health Ministry food inspectors carried out nationwide checks and sampling. They tested hundreds of products, including about 70 jars for toxicology, 110 vacuum-seal tests, and more than 500 products for packaging integrity at points of sale. Five products were found to contain the medicines clonazepam and lorazepam, three provided by the families and two taken from the Jerusalem store shelves. In all five cases, there were signs the products had been opened illegally before purchase.
The ministry said no sign of these substances was found in the importer’s warehouses or at other retail locations around the country, and a full review of the supply chain, including production, import and storage, found no failure or contamination. Because of the public health concern, the two branches are barred from selling food or cosmetics from 4:00 p.m. on June 25, 2026, and may only sell non-food, non-cosmetic goods. To resume food and cosmetics sales, the business must submit and implement an approved internal quality-control plan covering product security, regular testing, employee training, and immediate reporting of any suspicion of tampering. The ministry said there is still no evidence of a broader defect in the brand or manufacturing process, so no general recall has been ordered, while police continue the investigation.
