General Mills expands flour recall after four other people become ill from E.coli

A nationwide recall of flour has been expanded after four people recently became ill.

In June, General Mills recalled 10 million pounds of flour following an E.coli outbreak in 20 states.

The company recalled Gold Medal and Signature Kitchens flour after 38 people contracted a specific type of E. coli between December 21, 2015 and May 3, 2016. Two Oklahomans were among the patients.

On Monday, General Mills announced that it is recalling the following products:

13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra Package UPC 000-16000-18980 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 14MAY2017PK
2 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10710 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC, 13AUG2017KC through 21AUG2017KC   4.25 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-12670 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 01AUG2017KC, 19AUG2017KC, 20AUG2017KC, 21AUG2017KC   5 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10610 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC, 13AUG2017KC through 21AUG2017KC   10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Package UPC 000-16000-10410 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC
5 pound Gold Medal Unbleached Flour Package UPC 000-16000-19610 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 01AUG2017KC, 14AUG2017KC, 15AUG2017KC, 16AUG2017KC, 17AUG2017KC, 19AUG2017KC, 20AUG2017KC
2 pound Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached Package UPC 000-21130-53000 Recalled Better if Used by Dates BB 15 AUG 2017, BB 16 AUG 2017   5 pound Signature Kitchens Unbleached Flour All-Purpose Enriched Package UPC 000-21130-53022 Recalled Better if Used by Dates BB 01 AUG 2017
5 pound Gold Medal Self Rising Flour Package UPC 000-16000-11610 Recalled Better if Used by Dates 27OCT2016KC

“As a leader in flour production for 150 years, General Mills is committed to convening experts to work with government officials to learn more and create new protocols, if needed,” said General Mills President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Harmening. “Most importantly, we want all the avid home bakers out there to have peace of mind and know the most important thing they can do to keep safe is to not eat uncooked flour.” Flour is a raw ingredient that is intended to be cooked or baked. Flour is made from wheat that is grown outdoors where bacteria are often present and the normal flour milling process does not remove these bacteria.

In order for severe E. coli illness to occur from flour, all three of the following things have to happen:

1. The flour a consumer is using has to contain the rare sub-types of E.coli that can make you sick.
2. The consumer has to eat raw dough, batter or other uncooked food made with the flour, or handle the raw dough and not wash their hands.
3. The consumer’s individual health characteristics will impact if they get sick and how severely. Some consumers have mild symptoms and others get very sick. It is not always known who will get sick and who will not.