WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal food safety officials say it's too early to say what action will be taken against the Georgia peanut company at the heart of the current salmonella outbreak.
The Food and Drug Administration says it is preparing a report of findings on the Blakely, Ga., plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America, and the company will be allowed to respond.
The FDA's Michael Rogers told reporters on Wednesday that the agency has a number of regulatory options available. He declined to elaborate.
Earlier, a senior lawmaker in Washington and Georgia's agriculture commissioner called for a criminal investigation of the plant.
The salmonella outbreak has been blamed for making 500 people sick and has been linked to at least eight deaths.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH