By AVIHAI CHIIM, EFRAT FORSHER, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

JUNE 17, 2026 14:50

Updated: JUNE 17, 2026 16:45

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) has entered the inquiry into sedative substances discovered in baby fruit puree jars that sickened several toddlers across Jerusalem, while police assess whether the drugs were deliberately placed inside the items.

The Health Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that tests identified clonazepam and lorazepam inside jars of Prinok baby fruit puree obtained from two outlets of the Zol Begadol discount chain in the capital.

The affected items came from the supermarket locations on Jaffa Street at numbers 113 in Mahaneh Yehuda and 214 in central Jerusalem.

Both clonazepam and lorazepam are members of the benzodiazepine group of medications commonly prescribed for sedation and anxiety relief.

The Health Ministry promptly closed the two implicated Zol Begadol branches and brought in additional agencies including Israel Police to assist.

Four young children were admitted to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Ein Kerem after eating the puree and displaying weakness, apathy, and disorientation. Subsequent blood analyses detected the sedatives, and all the children have now been discharged.

On Tuesday the ministry directed Jerusalem-area hospitals to heighten vigilance for infants and toddlers presenting with symptoms consistent with benzodiazepine exposure and to report any comparable incidents from recent weeks.

Police examine criminal and nationalist motives

Jerusalem Police launched an investigation right after the hospitalizations and confirmation of sedatives in the children's blood.

Officers are pursuing multiple investigative avenues, including the possibility of a nationalist motive behind the contamination.

No individuals have been detained or questioned so far, and authorities say it remains too early to classify the motive as criminal or nationalist.

Investigators await further ministry results pinpointing when and where the substances were introduced, whether at the production facility, during transport, or after arrival at the stores.

No general Prinok recall

The Health Ministry indicated it has not issued a broad recall of Prinok products at this time.

Officials noted no signs of production defects or plant contamination, with tests on importer samples returning normal results.

Parents whose children consumed the product were urged to watch for unusual sleepiness, fatigue, or confused speech and to consult their pediatrician or call the ministry hotline at *5400.

The ministry reminded shoppers to verify that food items are properly sealed, intact, correctly labeled, and sold in original packaging.

Consumers were advised to avoid items from the two Jerusalem branches, any products outside original packaging, or jars showing abnormal color, appearance, odor, or faulty vacuum seals.

Company says facts point to malicious external interference

Randi, the Israeli marketer of Prinok, reiterated that ministry checks found no production flaws or plant contamination.

"All tests conducted on products from the importer were found to be normal," the company stated.

Randi noted the ministry confirmed the products remain safe and may continue to be sold.

"The facts indicate that an external party maliciously inserted foreign substances into the product," Randi declared.

The firm emphasized transparent communication with the public and close cooperation with the Health Ministry and relevant authorities since learning of the incident.

Prinok items have been available in Israeli supermarkets for more than two decades, Randi added.

"We again emphasize that before each use, consumers must make sure that the product is closed, intact, and does not show signs of damage or opening, in accordance with the safety instructions printed on the packaging," the company said.

Health Committee chairman MK Yoni Mashriki later announced an urgent committee discussion scheduled for next week.

One father whose children were hospitalized told N12 that police initially questioned the family following discovery of the sedatives.

"We were in an investigation for two hours over abuse of helpless minors," he said. "I have two healthy and well-cared-for children. I was the one who gave them the puree."

The Health Ministry continues to review the situation and will provide further public updates as necessary.