Health Ministry failed to test baby food after toddlers hospitalized in May, police say - report

An investigation is underway into allegedly tainted Prinok baby food in Israel after four young children were hospitalized, exhibiting traces of sedatives in their systems. Blood tests confirmed the presence of benzodiazepines, a class of sedative medication, in the children, aged one and three.

The probe has highlighted a critical failure by the Health Ministry. According to a KAN News report, the ministry did not request police testing of a suspicious jar of fruit puree in early May, even after two other children were hospitalized following consumption of the same product. The mother of those children had provided the tainted jar to the hospital, but it was reportedly kept as evidence by the police without being tested until this week.

Police allege they alerted the Health Ministry about the May incident, but investigators were not instructed to submit the product for testing. This inaction allowed the potentially contaminated food to remain on shelves. The investigation intensified this week after four additional children fell ill, prompting the testing of the previously held jar, which confirmed the presence of sedatives.

Adding to the complexity, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has joined the investigation, exploring the possibility that the sedatives were intentionally added to the baby food. Managers from two branches of the Zol Begadol supermarket chain, where the tainted baby food was purchased, have been questioned. The Health Ministry has ordered these two supermarket branches to close pending the outcome of the investigation.