The Health Ministry has ordered sweeping restrictions on the activity of Zol VeGadol supermarket branches in Jerusalem, in the expanding Prinok baby puree contamination affair. Ministry tests found five products containing pharmaceutical drugs, according to the report Thursday.
The Health Ministry on Thursday ordered sweeping operational restrictions on Zol VeGadol supermarket branches in Jerusalem, in a major escalation of the Prinok baby puree contamination affair. Ministry laboratory tests identified five products containing pharmaceutical drugs — the drugs clonazepam and lorazepam were confirmed in earlier tests this month — during inspections of the chain's Jerusalem outlets. The specific nature of the restrictions on branch activity was not detailed in the initial report.
The move follows a series of escalating enforcement steps: On June 17, the Health Ministry issued cease-and-desist orders to Zol VeGadol and Bigudol branches on Jaffa Road after finding sedative drugs in baby purees from the 'Prinok' brand. Police in Jerusalem are investigating suspected deliberate injection of the drugs into individual jars, which hospitalized five infants earlier in June. The chain appealed a closure order to the Jerusalem District Court on June 21, after a local court rejected its request to reopen two shuttered branches.
It remains unclear whether the restrictions announced Thursday apply to all Jerusalem branches or only those previously targeted, and whether the new drugs found are the same benzodiazepines or other substances. The Health Ministry has not yet issued a formal statement beyond the initial notice.
3 developments
- DevelopingHealth Ministry orders Zol VeGadol and Bigudol branches to halt anesthetic-tainted baby food sales
- StrongZol VeGadol appeals closure order to district court over 'Frinook' chicken sales
- StrongHealth Ministry expands Prinok puree recall — anesthetics clonazepam, lorazepam found in second batch
- StrongPolice probe suspected deliberate poisoning in Prinok baby puree affair
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