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By Hollie Silverman
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A Texas woman was arrested Tuesday, accused of inserting razor blades into loaves of bread at two Walmart stores in Biloxi, Mississippi, authorities said.
Camille Benson, 33, was arrested after multiple customers reported discovering razors lodged inside bread sold at the stores, according to the Biloxi Police Department.
No one was injured but the arrest has reignited concerns over food safety and consumer protection in the United States.
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It is not immediately clear if Benson has an attorney.
Why It Matters
Food tampering cases—such as this and viral incidents like the ice cream-licking probe in Texas—have raised new questions about the adequacy of safeguards for everyday grocery items and the protocol retailers must follow to ensure customer safety.
The cases highlight the potential dangers present in open-access retail environments and the challenges authorities face in promptly identifying and addressing acts that endanger public health.
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What To Know
Benson was arrested after multiple customers of a Walmart Supercenter and Walmart Neighborhood Market found the razor blades, Biloxi police said. The first customer report was delivered on December 5, about the Supercenter, with a subsequent report from a shopper of the Neighborhood Market on December 8.
After another complaint was issued on Sunday, Walmart employees checked inventory and found several more tampered loaves of bread, prompting them to contact local law enforcement officers Monday.
Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified Benson as a suspect. She was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted mayhem, with bond set at $100,000.
Lieutenant Candace Young, public information officer for Biloxi police, said the suspect is accused of pushing the razor blades directly into bread loaves, risking severe injuries to unsuspecting customers.
As of the time of reporting, there had been no injuries connected to the case. Investigators have not found evidence that other Walmart stores outside the two Biloxi locations were targeted. A potential motive remains unclear.
Previous high-profile food tampering cases, such as the 2019 viral video of a woman in Lufkin, Texas, licking a tub of Blue Bell ice cream and placing it back on the shelf, led to widespread concern and prompted some retailers to introduce tamper-evident packaging for frozen desserts.
In both the bread and ice cream cases, the rapid response by store personnel and law enforcement officials played a significant role in limiting potential harm to the public.
What People Are Saying
Walmart spokesperson, in an official statement to the Associated Press: “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have removed and thoroughly inspected all potentially affected products at impacted stores in Biloxi. We appreciate law enforcement for their swift action and will continue cooperating with them as they investigate.”
What Happens Next
Benson remains in custody on a $100,000 bond as Biloxi law enforcement continues its investigation.
Walmart has advised anyone who purchased bread from the affected stores to check their products thoroughly. Customers who discover any tampered product should dispose of it safely and contact the Biloxi Police Department at 228-392-0641 and claim a full refund at their local Walmart.
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