There has been a recent outbreak of E. coli discovered in flour products.
The contamination has been traced back to flour that was produced between November 14, 2015 and December 4, 2015 at a General Mills facility. 10 million pounds of flour sold under Gold Medal, Signature Kitchens, and Gold Medal Wondra have been recalled. Anyone who has these products should immediately toss them.
So far, 38 people in 20 states have been affected by this contamination. Their symptoms have included severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. For healthy people, the infection isn’t often too serious, but for those with compromised or weaker immune systems (like the young or the elderly), contracting this bacterial infection can be deadly.
Although baking flour can potentially “kill” off most bacteria, the FDA makes sure to issue warnings linked specifically to baking: don’t consume raw cookie dough or any other raw batter containing flour, be sure to wash your hands after handling flour, monitor any children who might be in the kitchen at the time to ensure they don’t consume raw flour.
Seal your flour in tightly closed containers kept in cool, dry locations to best avoid contamination. Carefully clean your kitchen and any other surfaces that may have contacted flour after you finish preparing food.
The FDA recommends anyone who develops symptoms of infection to contact a health care provider and report the illness immediately.
