Federal health officials opened a criminal investigation into the Georgia peanut-processing plant at the center of the national salmonella outbreak.
The investigation into Peanut Corp. of America follows reports of poor sanitation practices and inspections that found the company sold contaminated peanut products to food makers.
At least 529 people have been sickened as a result of the outbreak, and at least eight might have died because of it. More than 430 products have been recalled.