It could take more than a month for federal regulators to decide whether to take action against Babcock & Wilcox for possible violations, officials said Friday.

At the height of the nationwide salmonella outbreak nearly a year ago, FBI agents raided two peanut plants and carried away boxes of evidence. FDA inspectors found roaches, mold and a leaky roof. Then, Congress revealed e-mails from the peanut company’s top executive that seemed to suggest the pursuit of profits over ensuring public safety.

A federal judge has turned down a request by the nation’s No. 2 cigarette-maker and others to immediately halt enforcement of new federal regulations on tobacco products.

Today federal regulators will meet with Babcock & Wilcox Company officials to discuss “apparent violations” surrounding an event at the company’s Mt. Athos facility in July.

Nearly 16 million people can’t find jobs even though the worst recession since the Great Depression has apparently ended.