AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Food and Drug Administration has issued the Kellogg Company a warning regarding food-contaminating bacteria that was found at a bakery in Augusta.
In a letter to Kellogg CEO John Bryant, the FDA said inspectors found swarms of flies, wet insulation and water dripping above mixers at the plant earlier this year. Traces of listeria were also found, and they came in direct contact with food, the FDA said.
"In normal healthy folks, both kids and adults, listeria doesn't normally cause a lot of problems," said health expert Dr. James Wilde.
But there is always a chance, and that's what has health experts concerned.
The FDA said of the samples taken from the Kellogg plant in south Augusta in February, 15 tested positive for listeria. Out of the 15, seven were found in areas that come in direct contact with food.
"Generally when somebody comes down with listeria, it's from food contamination," Wilde said. "It can get into food supplies, particularly milk, ice cream, cheeses, foods like that."
Wilde has studied and treated patients for bacteria infections. He said people who get listeria usually suffer from diarrhea.
The FDA has not said that any food from the Kellogg plant had been contaminated. However, the FDA said that the positive tests were signs of unsanitary conditions that could lead to contamination.
Kellogg released a statement saying, "Food safety is important, and Kellogg is taking this situation seriously."
Total violations included pooling water, wet insulation and listeria. Also, more than 100 flies were found inside the plant.
The FDA said if Kellogg doesn't put a plan in place to prevent another incident, the administration could take regulatory action without further notice.