Health Ministry confirms benzodiazepines found in Prinok baby food sold in Jerusalem; police investigating

Following the hospitalization of several infants in Jerusalem last week after consuming Prinok fruit puree, the Health Ministry confirms that tests found the baby food was laced with psychiatric medication.

As a result, the Health Ministry orders the closure of two branches of the Zol veGadol stores in the city.

According to laboratory testing, Clonazepam and Lorazepam, substances from the benzodiazepine family normally prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, were found in the jars.

The ministry and police are now investigating the case.

All the children who were hospitalized following the consumption of these purees have since been discharged.

The ministry reminds the public to make sure that all purchased products are sealed and intact, and sold in their original packaging.

The ministry has distributed a professional directive to hospitals in the Jerusalem area to increase vigilance regarding cases of infants and young children arriving with symptoms that may correspond to exposure to these substances from the benzodiazepine family, as well as to report any similar cases that may have occurred in recent weeks.

The ministry urges parents whose children ate this product to pay attention to any changes in the children’s behavior, including drowsiness or slurred speech, and to contact their pediatrician and the ministry hotline at *5400.

The ministry reiterates that this is not a sweeping recall of all Prinok products, as currently no indication has been found of a defect or malfunction during manufacturing, nor of contamination occurring within the factory itself, and all tests conducted on products from the importers were found to be normal.