FBI: Man Admits to Contaminating Food At Michigan Stores
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- A man is in custody after he admitted to spraying a contaminant that officials believe contained mouse poison on unpackaged food at several Michigan grocery stores, authorities said.
An investigation indicated the man sprayed a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and open food bars at three Ann Arbor stores within the last couple of weeks, the FBI announced Tuesday. He also visited other stores in Ann Arbor and several other Michigan cities, the state said.
"The investigation is ongoing in order to determine if any other stores were victimized by the suspect," the FBI said in a statement.
The FBI has not released the man's identity.
RELATED: Police: Suspect Admits To Spraying Mouse Poison On Produce At Michigan Whole Foods, Other Stores
He was taken into custody Tuesday following tips from the public after the FBI released images of him taken from surveillance footage. No charges have been filed and the man's motive isn't known, FBI spokeswoman Jill Washburn said in an email Wednesday.
State officials said they don't anticipate adverse health effects for those who may have eaten contaminated food, but they encouraged customers to throw away food from salad bars, olive bars and ready-to-eat hot and cold food areas bought at the affected stores between mid-March and the end of April.
"Although most of these types of foods may have already been eaten or disposed of, some may still be in refrigerators or freezers," said Jamie Clover Adams, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The man is believed to have used the spray at Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market locations in Ann Arbor, said the FBI, which is working with Ann Arbor police on the case.
The state released a list of a dozen other stores that the man may have targeted, including others in Ann Arbor and stores in Flint, Midland, Birch Run and Saline.
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