Food company in Augusta appeals permit revocation

Castleberry's food company has applied for reinstatement of its operating permit after it was revoked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently.

The FDA had revoked the permit after it found problems with equipment on the plant's production line. That means the company can not ship its products across state lines. The plant has since shut down.

The plant was shut down last summer after botulism was found in some of its canned chili sauce that hadn't been fully processed. The permit had allowed it to re-open last September.

The latest issue does not involve any food recalls.

Plant executives are "working closely with the FDA to answer its questions and hope to resume production as soon as we have addressed them," says Dave Melborne, the company's senior vice president, in a written statement. "We expect to have quick resolution."