Out of fear of a possible E. coli or salmonella outbreak, Missouri Health Department officials poured bleach on food that was prepared for homeless people in Kansas City by volunteer group Free Hot Soup KC, The Hill reports.

The group planned to distribute an assortment of sandwiches, home cooked chili and soup on November 5 at a park. City officials intercepted volunteers gathered to pass out the food and seized it, claiming Free Hot Soup KC did not have a permit. The city also claimed the volunteers failed to prepare the food in approved kitchens, making the act of charity a public safety risk.

After confiscating the items, health inspectors poured bleach on them to ensure no one would try to eat them once they departed.

"E. coli or salmonella or listeria can grow in the food," department director Rex Archer told FOX 32. "And then you give that to homeless people who are more vulnerable, they will end up in the ER and even die from that exposure."

Kansas City Mayor Sly James also agreed with the health department after he learned about the incident. He tweeted, "Rules are there to protect the public's health, and all groups must follow them, no exceptions." 

Members of Free Hot Soup KC believe the department didn't destroy the food in the name of safety, but in order to discourage homeless people from gathering in public spaces. 

“They don’t like the quality of people we are attracting. They don’t like looking at them,” Nellie Ann McCool, a member of Free Hot Soup, told KCTV.  Other members of the group argued that they shouldn't need a permit to help out their "homeless friends."

“This is scaring all of us,” Tara McGaw, told the Kansas City Star. “We’re not an establishment. We’re not a not-for-profit. We’re just friends trying to help people on the side.” 

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