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Man accused of contaminating food at Michigan stores arraigned

Kyle Bessemer facing 4 counts, each a 15-year felony

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A man who the FBI said admitted to spraying a contaminant that officials believe contained mice poison on unpackaged food at several Michigan grocery stores was arraigned Thursday on food poisoning charges. 

Kyle Bessemer, 29, of Ann Arbor, was taken into custody this week. 

The FBI said Bessemer sprayed a mixture of hand cleaner, water and mouse poison on produce and open food bars at three Ann Arbor stores within the last couple weeks: 

  • Whole Foods Market -- 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway -- Ann Arbor, MI
  • Meijer -- 3145 Ann Arbor – Saline Road -- Ann Arbor, MI
  • Plum Market -- 375 North Maple Road -- Ann Arbor, MI

Bessemer was arraigned on four counts, including poisoning food and water and poisoning food and medicine. He was given a $250,000 cash bond. If he posts bond, he must wear a tether. 

Bessemer is from Midland, but recently moved to Ann Arbor. 

The FBI said its still working to determine if other stores that Bessemer visited were affected.

State officials say they don't anticipate adverse health effects for those who may have eaten potentially contaminated food. But customers were encouraged to throw away food from salad bars, olive bars and ready-to-eat hot and cold food areas at the affected stores.

Watch: Kyle Bessemer arraignment

Kyle Bessemer food contamination poison

View: State advisory

State departments: Other stores may have been targeted

Meanwhile, the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Health and Human Services warn there is a potential that other stores in Michigan also may have been targeted.

As of Wednesday, state food inspectors have visited all 15 stores and there is no evidence of further issues at these stores:

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

 

 

 


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