Police probe baby food contamination as store managers are summoned

Managers of two branches of the Zol U’Bigadol retail chain will be questioned by police on Thursday after baby-food purees sold there were found to contain sedative substances. The two branches, where the tainted products were sold, were operating without business licenses and under poor sanitation conditions.

The police made an unusual public appeal on Wednesday, asking parents to check that children’s food products are sealed and intact in the wake of the Prinoq puree case. Chief Superintendent Adi Mizrahi Buaron, head of investigations and intelligence for the Zion district, said, “As of now, we know of only two cases, from products purchased in two different branches.” She said the investigation has been “thorough and intensive” since last Thursday and is being carried out with “full cooperation” from all relevant bodies, especially the Health Ministry.

Buaron added that investigators continued “a variety of actions” on Wednesday, both covert and overt, and said, “Because this involves toddlers and minors, we are doing everything and will turn over every stone to prevent further harm to children.”

Earlier, the Health Ministry informed parents of toddlers hospitalized after consuming Prinoq fruit purees that laboratory tests confirmed the presence of anesthetic substances in the products. The cases prompted a Health Committee session in the Knesset. According to suspicion, the toddlers ate different types of purees, developed apathy and weakness, and were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where they were observed before being discharged home.