General Mills has recently expanded its recall of flour to include flour made earlier in the fall of 2015 that may still be in consumers’ kitchens. General Mills continues to investigate a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O121. A newly-reported illness prompted the expansion of the recall due to it appearing to have been caused from the consumption of raw dough or batter linked to flour produced in Fall 2015.
The FDA and CDC continue to warn consumers to refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour that is included on the recall list (see below.) E. coli O121 is eliminated by heat through baking, frying, sauteeing or boiling products made with flour. In addition, all surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.
The strain 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. Individuals who have been diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O121 are urged to contact state and local public health authorities.
The recall includes 8 SKUs of Gold Medal Flour, 1 SKU of Signature Kitchens Flour and 1 SKU of Gold Medal Wondra flour. The specific products in the recall include:
Product Title SKU Number Use by Date
13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra 000-16000-18980 23FEB2017KC, 24FEB2017KC
2 lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 000-16000-10710 15MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC, 04JUN2017KC, 05JUN2017KC, 11JUN2017KC, 12JUN2017KC, 13JUN2017KC, 14JUN2017KC
2lb Gold Medal Self-Rising Flour 000-16000-11710 09AUG2016KC, 10AUG2016KC, 16AUG2016KC, 17AUG2016KC, 06SEP2016KC, 07SEP2016KC
10lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 000-16000-10410 16MAY2017KC through 20MAY2017KC, 05JUN2017KC
5lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 000-16000-10610 15MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC
5lb Gold Medal Self-Rising Flour 000-16000-11610 10AUG2016KC, 11AUG2016KC
4.25lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 000-16000-12670 21MAY2017KC, 03JUN2017KC
5lb Gold Medal Unbleached Flour 000-16000-19610 19MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC, 11JUN2017KC, 12JUN2017KC
10lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour- Banded Pack 000-16000-10650 15MAY2017KC
2lb Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached 000-21130-53000 BB MAY 27 2017
If you have any of the above listed products, they should be thrown away. If you have any additional questions or are requesting a replacement, contact the company at 800-230-8103.
Contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton with any questions or for more information.
Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
