NEW YORK — A criminal investigation is under way after a video surfaced online showing a man urinating on a Kellogg factory assembly line, the company said.
Kellogg says it learned of the video Friday and immediately alerted law enforcement authorities and regulators. An investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, the company said.
The FDA said in a statement it is aware of the video. It said it does not confirm or deny investigations, but that “we can assure consumers that we take seriously our mission to protect the public health.”
The graphic video on the site World Star Hip Hop shows a man urinating on an assembly line, then panning to a sign with the Kellogg logo. Kellogg said its own investigation determined that the video was recorded at its Memphis, Tennessee factory in 2014.
The company says it was able to determine the video was taken that year after its team studied the assembly line shown and compared it with the current line.
“It is important to note that any products that could be potentially impacted would be very limited and past their expiration dates,” Kellogg said. It says the products that were potentially impacted include Rice Krispies Treats, granola clusters used in some products and puffed rice treats that it no longer makes.
“We are outraged by this completely unacceptable situation, and we will work closely with authorities to prosecute to the full extent of the law,” the company said.
Kellogg Co., based in Battle Creek, Michigan, said it is still working to identify the individual in the video.
The video has since been taken down.
