General Mills recalling flour products due to possible E. coli contamination

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WCMH) — General Mills is recalling 10 million pounds of flour products due to possible E. coli contamination.

The voluntary recall is related to an ongoing,outbreak of E. coli O121 in at least 20 states that’s possibly linked to Gold Medal flour, Wondra flour and Signature Kitchens flour. At least 38 people have reported becoming sick so far.

The flour was sold at stores nationwide, including Giant Eagle locations in Columbus.

“While attempting to track the cause of the illness, CDC found that approximately half of the individuals reported making something homemade with flour at some point prior to becoming ill. Some reported using a General Mills brand of flour,” General Mills said in a news release.

General Mills says testing has not found any presence of E. coli O121 in its products, but it is recalling the the products as a precaution.

The recall affects the following retail flour products:

13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra Package UPC 000-16000-18980 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 25FEB2017 thru 30MAR2017
2 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10710 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC thru 03JUN2017KC 5 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10610 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC, 27MAY2017KC thru 31MAY2017KC, 01JUN2017KC, 03JUN2017KC thru 05JUN2017KC, 11JUN2017KC thru 14JUN2017KC 10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10410 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 02JUN2017KC,03JUN2017KC 10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour- Banded Pack Package UPC 000-16000-10410 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 03JUN2017KC, 04JUN2017KC, 05JUN2017KC
5 pound Gold Medal Unbleached Flour Package UPC 000-16000-19610 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC, 27MAY2017KC, 03JUN2017KC, 04JUN2017KC
5 pound Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached Package UPC 000-21130-53001 Recalled Better if Used by Dates BB MAY 28 2017
5 pound Signature Kitchens Unbleached Flour All Purpose Enriched Package UPC 000-21130-53022 Recalled Better if Used by Dates BB MAY 27 2017
2 pound Gold Medal Self Rising Flour Package UPC 000-16000-11710 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 23AUG2016KC

E. coli O121 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. You’re encouraged to throw out the affected products and reach out to General Mills for a replacement product. They can be contacted at 1-800-230-8103 or via GeneralMills.com/Flour.

The company also provided the following safety tips related to flour:

• Flour comes from milling wheat, grown outdoors where bacteria are often present. Flour is a raw ingredient that is intended to be cooked or baked. While it is rare for individuals to get sick from flour, it is possible.
• Raw dough or batter should not be eaten – no matter how tempting. Children should not be provided raw dough to play with (including at restaurants) unless they are carefully supervised and wash their hands afterwards. Young children frequently like to put things in their mouth or ‘taste’ things, and they are particularly susceptible to getting sick from food borne illnesses.
• Bacteria found in raw flour are eliminated by normal cooking, baking, frying, or boiling products made with flour. Bacteria is commonly found in flour at low levels because flour comes from milling wheat, something that is grown outdoors where bacteria are often present.
• All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough. Surfaces dusted with flour to roll dough for example, should be properly cleaned after use.