Store Managers Summoned in Jerusalem Baby Food Poisoning Probe

Police have widened their investigation after Israel’s Health Ministry found foreign substances in baby food in Jerusalem. Managers of the “Zol U’B’Gadol” branches where the tainted fruit purees were sold have been summoned for questioning tomorrow, as investigators seek to determine how the dangerous materials got into the jars.

The products were baby fruit purees made by the “Prinoq” brand, and laboratory tests found the sedatives clonazepam and lorazepam in jars bought at two “Zol U’B’Gadol” stores on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. The two branches were found to have operated without a business license and under poor sanitary conditions. A broad police probe is underway, with Jerusalem investigators involved.

The Health Ministry said closure orders for the two Jerusalem branches were issued only today, after which it brought in additional enforcement bodies, including police. Despite that, the stores opened as usual in the morning, until police arrived with inspectors and forced them to shut their gates. Authorities are examining all leads, including the possibility of a deliberate act by an outside party.

Channel 12 reported that the Health Ministry asked the Shin Bet to join the investigation and sent it the findings and test results. The ministry also said the production line at Prinoq’s factory was inspected and there is no suspicion the substances were added there. Officials decided against a full recall, focusing instead on the two branches. Zol U’B’Gadol said its owners ordered all managers and employees to cooperate fully and voluntarily handed over security camera footage. Randy, which distributes Prinoq products, said there was no sign of a production defect or contamination at the factory and that all importer samples tested were normal.