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Man accused of contaminating food charged

Posted at 1:37 PM, May 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-05 18:16:53-04

The man accused of sprinkling substances on food in grocery stores has been charged with four counts of poisoning.

The FBI says Kyle Bessemer contaminated items on food carts at multiple stores. 

Originally, the man was only thought to have contaminated food at the Whole Foods in Ann Arbor.

Officials say the man, who has reportedly confessed, was identified by tips from the public.

The FBI also says they have identified the substance as a mixture of hand cleaner, water and Tomcat mice poison, which was sprinkled on produce at the stores.

Officials say, in his confession, the suspect said he sprayed the produce within the last two weeks.

The investigation is ongoing and, officials say, the suspect has said he visited other stores in the Ann Arbor area over the last few months.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Health and human Services are working with the FBI on this investigation. They are urging people to throw away any foods bought from the salad bars at affected stores. 

“Out of an abundance of caution and to protect public health and food safety, I encourage consumers to dispose of any foods purchased from salad bars, olive bars and ready-to-eat hot and cold food areas from these stores between mid-March and the end of April,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD director, in a news release. “Although most of these types of foods may have already been eaten or disposed of, some may still be in refrigerators or freezers.”

Here's a list of the other stores that may have been targeted:

Busch's
2240 S Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI

Cupcake Station
116 E Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI

Family Fare
2026 North Saginaw
Midland, MI

Kroger
3838 Richfield Road
Flint, MI
Meijer, #108
7300 Eastman Ave
Midland, MI

Meijer, #64
3145 Ann Arbor-Saline
Ann Arbor, MI

Meijer, #213
9515 Birch Run Rd
Birch Run, MI

Millers Mini Mart
3001 Bay City Rd
Midland, MI

Plum Market
375 North Maple
Ann Arbor, MI

Target
2000 Waters Road 
Ann Arbor, MI

Tsai Grocery
3115 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI

Walmart
910 Joe Mann Blvd
Midland, MI

Walmart
7000 E Michigan Ave
Saline, MI

Whole Foods
990 W Eisenhower Pkwy
Ann Arbor, MI

Whole Foods
3135 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI

If you have health concerns, you are asked to call your healthcare provider or Michigan Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.