General Mills Recalls Flour For Possible E. coli Contamination

Michelle Stein

8 years ago

Attention, parents: General Mills has announced a voluntary recall of Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra and Signature Kitchens flours because of potential E. coli 0121 contamination.

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA,) this recall affects six SKUs (stock keeping units or UPC codes) of Gold Medal Flour, two SKU’s of Signature Kitchens Flour and one SKU of Gold Medal Wondra flour.

Click here to check if flour in your pantry is affected.

General Mills is collaborating with health officials to investigate an ongoing outbreak of E. coli O121 that might be linked to Gold Medal flour, Wondra flour and Signature Kitchens flour — sold in Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls and Acme.

Federal and state authorities have been researching 38 instances of illnesses in 20 states– spanning from December 21, 2015 to May 3, 2016 — related to E. coli O121. While attempting to track the cause of the illness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that about half of the individuals reported making something homemade with flour prior to becoming ill. Some reported using a General Mills brand of flour.

With this in mind, E. coli O121 has not been found in any General Mills flour products or in the flour manufacturing facility so far. Furthermore, the company hasn’t been contacted by any consumer reporting confirmed illnesses related to these products.

“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,” said Liz Nordlie, president of General Mills baking division.

Parents, it’s important to share news of this recall with family members and caregivers of your children, so they can check to see if their flour has been included in this recall. As General Mills reminds consumers, you should never consume raw products made with flour. Hand washing and washing utensils and work surfaces after coming in contact with raw dough products or flour is paramount. It never hurts to remind children to never eat raw dough or batter, either.

These precautions are because E. coli O121 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, young children, and those with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

For more information about this recall, contact General Mills by phone at 1-800-230-8103 or visit www.generalmills.com/flour.