GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota-based General Mills is recalling 10 million pounds of flour that is sold under a number of different brands and labels due to potential E. coli contamination.
The recall was announced Tuesday morning. Federal and local authorities have been investigating 38 reported illnesses across 20 states related to a specific type of E. coli (E. coli O121), between December 21, 2015, and May 3, 2016. While attempting to track the cause of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control found that approximately half of the individuals reported making something homemade with flour at some point prior to becoming ill. General Mills confirms that some of those cases reported using their brands of flour.
Based on the information that has been shared with General Mills, some of the ill consumers may have also consumed raw dough or batter. Consumers are reminded to not consume any raw products made with flour. Flour is an ingredient that comes from milling wheat, something grown outdoors that carries with it risks of bacteria which are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling. Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough products or flour, and to never eat raw dough or batter.
Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make people quite ill. E. coli O121 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness like E. coli.
Along with the recall, General Mills is sharing the following safety tips when using 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.
Those with questions about the recall and getting replacement products can call 1-800-230-8103 or log on to the General Mills website.
