General Mills has announced a voluntary national recall of five-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour. This recall is being issued for the potential presence of E. coli O26, which was discovered during routine sampling of the product. Generall Mills is issuing the recall proactively, as there haven’t yet been any confirmed reports of illness related to this product.
Although many strains of E. coli are harmless, E. coli O26 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to serious complications from foodborne illness.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that consumers should not consume any raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling. All surfaces, hands, and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or raw dough.
This recall only affects five-pound bags of Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour with a “better if used by” date of September 6, 2020. No other type of Gold Medal Flour is affected. If you do find this product in your home, you’re asked to dispose of it immediately.
If you have any questions about this recall or need a replacement coupon for any item you’ve had to discard, you can contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or complete this form. For more information on this recall, you can read the company’s announcement or visit the FDA’s recall page.
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