Jerusalem district police are investigating the possibility that sedative drugs were deliberately injected into individual Prinok baby puree jars sold at two Zol VeGadol supermarket branches, according to an i24 report Wednesday evening. Investigators have gathered testimony from three families so far; the Shin Bet is not yet involved, police say.
Jerusalem district police (YIL'P Merhav Zion) are now pursuing a criminal investigation into the possibility that anesthetic drugs were deliberately introduced into individual Prinok baby puree jars sold at two branches of the Zol VeGadol budget supermarket chain in Jerusalem, according to an i24 report Wednesday evening.
Police have collected testimony from three families so far, the report states. The investigation was initially focused on a possible link to pest control in a nearby public park, but that connection was ruled out. A similar case from about a month ago has also been retroactively linked. Health Ministry tests on the manufacturer's production line found no abnormalities, shifting the investigative focus to the retail point of sale.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday, the Health Ministry has ordered the relevant Zol VeGadol and Bigudol branches to cease sales of the product after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the sedative drugs clonazepam and lorazepam in jars purchased at those stores. Police told i24 that all investigation leads remain open. The Shin Bet security agency is not involved at this stage, according to police.
3 developments
- StrongShin Bet joins Prinok baby puree poisoning probe as third infant hospitalized
- StrongHealth Ministry expands Prinok puree recall — anesthetics clonazepam, lorazepam found in second batch
- DevelopingManagers of budget supermarket chain Zol VaGadol summoned in baby food sedation probe
- StrongSedatives found in baby food sold in Israel — police probe expanded
Source and signal
- Internal intake