Secret services called in to investigate baby deaths

Jerusalem Post ^ | Nov. 10, 2003 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[yonif]

The Mossad and Shin Bet secret service agencies have joined the investigation of a faulty baby formula that has been linked to the deaths of three infants, a Health Ministry spokesman said Monday.

The director general of the ministry, Boaz Lev, raised the possibility of sabotage to the kosher soy-based milk substitute, saying "it is impossible to know if this is intentional or not."

The ministry said tests had revealed that the formula of the Israeli company Remedia did not contain Vitamin B1, even though the package said the product included the essential nutrient.

When asked to comment on reports the Mossad and Shin Bet are involved in the investigation, ministry spokesman Robbie Steinberg told The Associated Press "all of the agencies are involved." The secretive agencies did not comment on the reports.

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is vital for development of the nervous system in babies.

Health Ministry officials say more than 20 infants suffered from a disorder caused by a deficiency in the vitamin after drinking the formula, and three have died.

After determining the formula did not contain the vitamin, the Health Ministry called for all infants who had been fed the soy drink for extended periods to be checked by a doctor.

[yonif]

There may be a terror motive for the deaths of the babies and the sickness of many more.

[yonif]

Israeli media now reports that the German company says that its products to Israel were supposed to have that vitamin, however, they did not.

The investigation continues....

[bigfootbob]

Wasn't Gerber Foods involved with something like this a few years ago when they were caught selling flavored sugar water as apple juice for infants? Paid a hugh fine if I recall. No deaths were reported that I remember. Lets not rush to judgement here.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Never attribute to malice, that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

[happygrl]

The difference is that no one feeds their infants apple juice expecting it to provide all the essential nutrients like baby formula, which is a substitute for the superior breast milk.

Serious, serious stuff.

[bigfootbob]

I agree. I also can see a difference between fraud and terrorism with this type of scenario. Fraud is one thing, terrorism is another. Unfortunately, if your kid is a victim of this, motivation doesn't much matter. Off with their heads.