Court extends detention of suspect in Jerusalem's Zol Begadol drugged baby food case

A Jerusalem court extended the detention of a man suspected of placing sedative substances in baby fruit-puree jars sold at two Zol Begadol supermarkets until September 6.

Police arrested the man, who is in his 40s and from southern Israel, at his home on Monday after what they described as a breakthrough in the investigation. His name remains under a court publication ban until Wednesday morning.

Police suspect that clonazepam and lorazepam were deliberately inserted into Prinok fruit-puree jars sold at the two branches on Jaffa Street. The Health Ministry said laboratory tests detected the prescription drugs, both benzodiazepines that can cause drowsiness, weakness and confusion.

At least three young children were hospitalized after consuming the puree and later discharged in stable condition. Investigators identified five contaminated jars. Customers provided three, while two were found on store shelves. All five showed signs of prior opening or tampering.

Tests on products obtained from the importer found no contamination, and the Health Ministry reported no evidence of a manufacturing defect. The two supermarkets were initially closed and later barred from selling food and cosmetics until they introduced stricter controls, including restricted product access and regular checks for damaged packaging.

The suspect’s lawyer, Zecharia Shenkolevsky, said his client has a mental-health condition and is in a complex psychological state. “The investigation is in its early stages, and we expect it to be conducted while protecting his rights, certainly in light of his medical circumstances,” he said, adding that the suspect was cooperating with investigators.

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The investigation is in its early stages, and we expect it to be conducted while protecting his rights, certainly in light of his medical circumstances.