The US Food and Drug Administration has launched a criminal probe following the circulation of a video that allegedly shows a man who filmed himself urinating on the assembly line in a Kellogg's factory.

CNN reported that an internal investigation by the US food company found that the incident took place in 2014 at a facility in Memphis, Tennessee.

Kellogg's said the act could have affected Rice Krispies Treats, Rice Krispies Treats cereal and puffed rice cake products, although all would have been past their expiration date at this point.

The clip, which is highly graphic, went viral when it was posted online by entertainment website World Star Hip Hop on Friday (March 11).

Kellogg's spokesman Kris Charles said in a statement on Sunday that the company was taking the situation very seriously.

He added: "We were shocked and deeply disappointed by this video that we just learned of yesterday. We immediately alerted law enforcement authorities and regulators.

"A criminal investigation is underway as well as a thorough internal investigation."

According to radio station WREG, it was possible the man shot the video after a labour dispute between Kellogg's and employees who had been locked out of the factory.