Man charged in Michigan probe of contaminated food

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at grocery stores faces four charges of poisoning food.

Kyle Bessemer appeared in an Ann Arbor court Thursday, two days after his arrest.

The FBI says Bessemer admitted to spraying a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and food bars at three Ann Arbor stores: Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market. The charges cover two stores.

This undated photo provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's office shows Kyle Bessemer. Bessemer, suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at...

This undated photo provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's office shows Kyle Bessemer. Bessemer, suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at grocery stores, faces four charges of poisoning food. The Michigan man appeared in an Ann Arbor court Thursday, May 5, 2016, two days after his arrest. The FBI says Bessemer admitted to spraying a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and food bars at three Ann Arbor stores: Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market. (Washtenaw County Sheriff's office via AP)

In court, investigators told a judge that the 29-year-old Bessemer believed someone was trying to poison him.

Bond was set at $250,000. An attorney for Bessemer will be assigned.

Shoppers have been encouraged to throw away uneaten food purchased from salad bars and ready-to-eat food areas between mid-March and the end of April.

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, stands in court during his arraignment, Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a cont...

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, stands in court during his arraignment, Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at grocery stores faces four charges of poisoning food. The FBI says Bessemer admitted to spraying a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and food bars at three Ann Arbor stores: Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market. The charges cover two stores. (Melanie Maxwell/The Ann Arbor News via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, stands in court during his arraignment, Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a cont...

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, stands in court during his arraignment, Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at grocery stores faces four charges of poisoning food. The FBI says Bessemer admitted to spraying a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and food bars at three Ann Arbor stores: Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market. The charges cover two stores. (Melanie Maxwell/The Ann Arbor News via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, is led into court to be arraigned Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a contaminan...

Kyle Andrew Bessemer, is led into court to be arraigned Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Bessemer, a Michigan man suspected of spraying a contaminant on unpackaged food at grocery stores faces four charges of poisoning food. The FBI says Bessemer admitted to spraying a mixture of hand sanitizer, water and mouse poison on produce and food bars at three Ann Arbor stores: Whole Foods, Meijer and Plum Market. The charges cover two stores. (Melanie Maxwell/The Ann Arbor News via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT