The video – which is believed to have been shot in 2014 at the manufacturer’s facility in Memphis, Tennessee – appears to show an individual urinating on a production line as it is in operation. During the film, the camera pans to show the Kellogg logo on a piece of machinery.
Kellogg said products that may have been affected by the incident include Rice Krispies Treats, granola clusters used in “a couple of products” and other puffed rice products no longer produced by the manufacturer. It pointed out that these would now be past their expiration dates.
The video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube and at website Worldstarhiphop.com.
'Shocked and deeply disappointed'
Kellogg said it first learned of the video on March 11 and was taking the situation “very seriously”.
“We immediately alerted law enforcement authorities and regulators,” said Kellogg Company spokesman Kris Charles, adding that a criminal investigation and “thorough internal investigation” were under way.
“We were shocked and deeply disappointed by this video,” he said. “Food quality is of the utmost importance to Kellogg Company."
“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 US Food & Drug Administration said it had been made aware of the video but did not, as a matter of policy, confirm or deny investigations.
"Food manufacturers are responsible, under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, for ensuring that food is safe, wholesome and truthfully labeled," added a spokesman. "We can assure consumers that we take seriously our mission to protect the public health."