Just days after three young children were rushed to the emergency room at Hadassah Ein Kerem with symptoms of drowsiness and weakness and traces of sedatives were found in their blood, the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday afternoon that lab tests confirmed the suspicion: jars of Prinok brand baby fruit puree contained clonazepam (sold as Clonex) and lorazepam (sold as Lorivan) - sedative drugs from the benzodiazepine family intended for adults. The two branches that sold the products received closure orders and police assigned the investigation to the crime-fighting unit in the Zion precinct.

Following the findings the Health Ministry issued immediate closure orders for the two branches where the jars were purchased: the Machaneh branch at 113 Jaffa Street in Jerusalem and the branch at 214 Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. Police are investigating the case in parallel. The Health Ministry clarified that no indication was found of a manufacturing defect or contamination at the plant itself and all tests performed on products from the importers came back normal. This means investigators are examining the possibility that the substances were introduced into the products at some later stage.

Police spokespersons said part of the test results from the Health Ministry were handed to police investigators and now serve as the basis for continued inquiries that began after the initial report raised suspicions of sedatives. Given the extreme sensitivity regarding minors' safety, Jerusalem District command assigned the probe to the crime-fighting unit (YLP) of the Zion precinct.

In parallel with actions taken in recent days, YLP investigators have already begun a series of overt and covert investigative steps aimed at tracing the source of the sedatives and how they were introduced into the products. At this stage all investigative leads are being examined. Israeli police investigators are working and will continue to work thoroughly and professionally in close ongoing cooperation with Health Ministry experts.

The Health Ministry yesterday issued professional guidance to hospitals in the Jerusalem area to heighten attention to cases of infants and young children arriving with symptoms that may fit benzodiazepine exposure and to report similar incidents from recent weeks.

Despite the gravity of the findings the Health Ministry clarified that there is no broad recall of all Prinok products for now. According to the ministry tests performed on products from the importers came back normal.

Nevertheless the ministry instructs people to avoid consuming products bought at the two closed branches. Products not sold in original packages or multipacks should also not be used, nor should items lacking typical color appearance or smell or whose vacuum seal does not function properly - meaning the jar does not produce the characteristic sound when opened.

Product importer Randy company responded that the facts indicate an external party maliciously introduced foreign substances into the product.

The company added that according to the Health Ministry statement no manufacturing defect or plant contamination was indicated and all tests on importer products were normal. The ministry stated the products are safe for consumer use and there is no bar to continued marketing. Once the incident became known the company acted transparently toward the public and in close coordination with the Health Ministry and all relevant professional bodies.

The company further noted that Prinok products have been sold for over twenty years in all retail chains. It reiterated that before each use consumers should verify the product is sealed intact and shows no signs of damage or opening in line with safety instructions on the packaging.

The three hospitalized children - a one-year-old brother and sister plus another girl - were discharged from Hadassah Ein Kerem after several days in good condition. Hadassah hospital said the incident came to light thanks to the medical team's vigilance. After the three children arrived at the ER on Thursday and following a similar earlier case reported to authorities the ER and child-protection teams flagged concern over a wider event rather than an isolated exposure and thereby launched the broad official inquiry.

Professor Saar Hashavia director of pediatric emergency medicine at Hadassah Ein Kerem and deputy hospital director explained: Benzodiazepine poisoning cases can be life-threatening and usually occur in children who accidentally ingest sedatives found at home out of curiosity. This time however we noted the anomaly - several children poisoned simultaneously with no plausible access to prescription drugs in their surroundings. That is why we reported immediately.

Besides delivering immediate life-saving care the role of the pediatric ER team includes protecting children's welfare and safety and advocating for them when needed added Professor Hashavia. We are pleased that staff alertness and ability to grasp the broader picture drove the thorough efficient official investigation.

Dr Itai Marmor a pediatrician with Maccabi Healthcare Services told Ynet that when a toddler is exposed to small amounts of benzodiazepines symptoms may include drowsiness reduced vitality or apathy muscle weakness loss of coordination and occasionally mild respiratory depression or constipation. These effects are usually temporary and resolve within hours yet medical evaluation and possibly observation are advised if symptoms appear. Regarding long-term consequences most single-exposure cases carry no concern.

Dr Inbal Yifrach Damari head of pharmacy and pharmacology at Maccabi Healthcare Services added that clonazepam and lorazepam are prescription benzodiazepines intended for defined medical conditions and are not routinely given to infants or children. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to drug effects due to low body weight a still-developing nervous system and relatively limited ability to metabolize and clear medications she said. Clinical impact depends on the dose consumed the child's weight and other medical factors.

The Health Ministry asks parents whose children consumed the product to watch for behavioral changes such as drowsiness fatigue or confused speech. If such symptoms appear contact a pediatrician and the Health Ministry hotline at *5400 mentioning the possible product link.