The Shin Bet security agency is now involved in the investigation into anesthetics found in Prinok baby fruit puree, after the substances hospitalized four toddlers from the Jerusalem area, according to Amit Segal (N12). Earlier Wednesday, the Health Ministry ordered closure of two Zol VeGadol branches in Jerusalem as police joined the probe.
The Shin Bet security agency has joined the criminal investigation into anesthetics found in Prinok baby fruit puree, according to Amit Segal (N12) — a development that brings a national security element to a probe that began earlier Wednesday as a police-led criminal case. The Shin Bet's entry, reported by N12 in the past hour, marks the third escalation in the affair just today.
The thread opened Wednesday at 10:01 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported that several Jerusalem infants were hospitalized after consuming food contaminated with benzodiazepine sedatives; blood tests confirmed traces of the substance. By 13:05 Jerusalem, the Health Ministry had issued closure orders for two Zol VeGadol branches on Jaffa Road over poisoned fruit sold there, while separately confirming that anesthetic substances were found in Prinok puree and expanding a recall. At the same hour, police joined the probe; the ministry clarified it was not ordering a full recall, finding no evidence of systemic contamination at the production plant. The anesthetic compounds were later identified as clonazepam and lorazepam (benzodiazepine sedatives) by 13:13 Jerusalem. Now at 13:40 Jerusalem, the Shin Bet's involvement has elevated the affair's security classification.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday, the Health Ministry urged parents who purchased Prinok puree to watch for symptoms including drowsiness, fatigue, or confusion in children and to consult a doctor or the ministry hotline. The ministry's closure orders applied specifically to the two Jaffa Road branches and did not extend to a full nationwide recall.
The specific suspected criminal elements behind the contamination remain under a gag order, and it is not yet clear what triggered the Shin Bet's involvement — whether the investigation has identified a threat to national security or a wider organized-crime dimension.
5 developments
- DevelopingTwo more children hospitalized in Prinok puree affair; police, Shin Bet probe 'nationalist motive'
- StrongShin Bet investigates 'fruit hybrids' affair after findings handed over
- StrongHealth Ministry expands Prinok puree recall — anesthetics clonazepam, lorazepam found in second batch
- StrongSedatives found in baby food sold in Israel — police probe expanded
Source and signal
- Internal intake