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General Mills recalls flour due to possible E. coli contamination
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The CDC has linked a multistate Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 outbreak to flour produced at a General Mills facility in Kansas City, Missouri, resulting in a nationwide recall, according to a press release.
The CDC reported that 38 people across 20 states have been affected by the outbreak, with the onset of illnesses ranging from December 21 to May 3. Ten patients were hospitalized; however, no deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome were reported.
State, local and federal health officials interviewed several patients, according to the CDC. Sixteen out of 21 patients said they or someone in their household used flour the week before becoming ill, and 12 of 22 patients reported using Gold Medal brand flour. In addition, nine of 22 people said they tasted or consumed raw homemade dough or batter, and three said they consumed or played with raw dough at restaurants.
Using package information obtained from ill patients and restaurants, investigators found that potentially contaminated General Mills flour was produced in the same week in November at the Kansas City facility. An investigation is ongoing.
As a precautionary measure, General Mills voluntarily recalled several brands of flour sold nationwide in Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls and Acme stores, according to a company press release. The recalled products include several sizes and varieties of Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens. General Mills noted that E. coli O121 has not been detected in any of the company’s flour products or in the manufacturing facility, and urged consumers not to eat any raw products that contain flour.
“As a leading provider of flour for 150 years, we felt it was important to not only recall the product and replace it for consumers if there was any doubt, but also to take this opportunity to remind our consumers how to safely handle flour,” Liz Nordlie, president of General Mills baking division, said in the release.
The CDC and state and local public health partners will continue to monitor the outbreak to identify additional ill patients.
Disclosure: Nordlie is an employee of General Mills.