A voluntary US national recall has been announced in the United States by General Mills for its five pound (5 lb) bags of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour with a “better if used by” date of September 6, 2020.
The recall was issued due to the discovery of possible E. coli O26 during sampling of the product, leading to concerns there might be a potential presence of the bacteria in other bags of the product.
“This recall is being issued out of an abundance of care as General Mills has not received any direct consumer reports of confirmed illnesses related to this product,” a company statement said, adding that no other types of Gold Medal Flour were affected by the recall. Only one date code of the Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour five-pound bags was affected by the recall.
Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product affected by this recall. Consumers who have had to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or visit www.generalmills.com/flour.
Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to warn that consumers should refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.
This voluntary recall includes the following code date currently in stores or consumers’ pantries:
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
Package UPC 016000 196100
Recalled Better if Used by Date 06SEP2020KC
Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. E. coli O26 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.
Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O26 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.