Two Months Later: Development in the Baby Food Poisoning Case
Police arrested a resident of the South in his 40s on suspicion of involvement in introducing sedatives into 'Prinuk' brand baby fruit purees. The case was exposed in June following the hospitalization of four toddlers, and police are investigating the potential involvement of others.
The investigation into the introduction of sedatives into 'Prinuk' brand baby fruit purees, which came to light in June following the hospitalization of four toddlers, saw a significant development today, Monday. Police arrested a resident of the South in his 40s on suspicion of involvement in the incident, following what they described as a breakthrough in the investigation. The suspect will be brought to the Magistrate's Court in Jerusalem tomorrow for a detention extension hearing, as police continue to investigate the potential involvement of others.
As previously reported, the Ministry of Health began investigating serious concerns in June after four toddlers were hospitalized with symptoms of extreme drowsiness, apathy, and weakness after consuming 'Prinuk' brand baby fruit puree. According to the ministry's report, the products were purchased at branches of the 'Zol Ve-Gadol' retail chain. Initial epidemiological findings suggested a link between the cases and the product, which appeared to have been sold as individual units rather than in sealed packaging.
The case began to unfold in June when two pairs of siblings, aged one and three, were rushed to the pediatric emergency room at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. The children arrived drowsy and exhibiting severe weakness, though they remained conscious. While their condition improved, blood and urine test results stunned the medical staff.
Tests revealed the presence of benzodiazepine-type sedatives in the toddlers' systems—substances typically found in strong sleeping pills and prescription drugs such as 'Bondromin'. Upon receiving these findings, the Ministry of Health immediately launched a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and urgent inspection measures.
Thanks to the alertness of the staff at Hadassah Ein Kerem, a connection was established to a previously undisclosed case from May, involving another toddler who was admitted with identical symptoms and in whose blood the same sedative was detected.
The hospital confirmed that both cases were reported to law enforcement authorities as required by law. The four toddlers were eventually discharged, alert and fully recovered.
