UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: FBI spokesperson Jill Washburn said the man has not yet been charged in the incident and officials are not releasing the man's name at this point.
It was not clear if or when his name would be released.
Washburn said the man was located in Ann Arbor. A tip from the public led authorities to him, she said.
The matter remains under investigation.
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ANN ARBOR, MI – Authorities have identified the man who sprayed liquid on food at Ann Arbor grocery stores, as well as the previously-unknown substance.
Tips from the public helped officials from the FBI and the Ann Arbor Police Department take the man into custody Tuesday, according to a release from the FBI Detroit Field Office. Further information on the man or potential charges was not released.
Officials believe the suspect used a liquid combination of an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer, water and Tomcat mouse poison to contaminate produce in three Ann Arbor grocery stores in the last two weeks.
The FBI identified the stores as:
- 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
The suspect admitted to contaminating food at several grocery stores and officials are investigating whether he may have contaminated food at any other stores.
Samples of the mixture have been sent for further analysis, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Food inspectors are in possibly affected stores conducting follow-up assessments this evening, according to the release.
Officials said the chemicals are a form of anti-coagulant, similar to those in medicines that have an anti-clotting function. Based on what's known about the mixture, no adverse health effects are expected for anyone who has ingested it.
"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," Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD director, said in the release. "Although most of these types of foods may have already been eaten or disposed of, some may still be in refrigerators or freezers."
According to the MDARD release, other potentially affected stores include:
- 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, #213 - 9515 Birch Run Rd - Birch Run, MI
- Millers Mini Mart - 3001 Bay City Rd - Midland, 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 - 3135 Washtenaw Ave - Ann Arbor, MI
Those with health concerns regarding the contamination are asked to contact a healthcare provider or call Michigan Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Darcie Moran covers cops and courts for MLive and The Ann Arbor News. Email her at dmoran@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter @darciegmoran.
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