Health Ministry Bars Two Jerusalem Zol VeGadol Branches From Selling Food and Cosmetics

Israel’s Health Ministry on Wednesday imposed strict limits on two Zol VeGadol supermarket branches in Jerusalem, banning them from selling food or cosmetics after baby food jars linked to sedative substances were found there. The affected branches are on Jaffa Street 113 and Jaffa Street 214, and the restriction took effect at 4:00 p.m. The stores may continue selling toiletries and other nonfood, noncosmetic items.

The move follows a police investigation into jars that contained anesthetic or sedative material. Lab tests confirmed unusual levels of benzodiazepine-family substances, and the ministry said the jars caused harm to infants and led to hospitalizations. Five children, ages 3 years and 10 months and 3 years and 9 months, were hospitalized after eating fruit puree bought at those branches. All of the children have since been discharged, and other similar reports were investigated and ruled out.

Food Service inspectors carried out nationwide checks, including laboratory testing of about 70 jars, 110 vacuum-seal tests, and more than 500 product inspections at points of sale. Five products were ultimately found to contain the medications clonazepam and lorazepam, three provided by the families of the hospitalized children and two taken from Zol VeGadol shelves in Jerusalem. In all five cases, there was an indication the packaging had been unlawfully opened before purchase.

Checks at the importer’s warehouses and other sales points around the country found no sign of these substances, and a broader review of the supply chain, including production, import and storage, found no failure or contamination. The two restricted branches must now present and implement a comprehensive quality-control plan approved by the ministry before any expansion of activity. That plan must include tighter controls over product integrity, regular testing, employee training, and immediate reporting of any suspected tampering. The ministry said there is still no evidence of a wider defect in the brand’s products or manufacturing process, so no broad recall was ordered, and police continue the investigation with ministry assistance.