More E. coli Illnesses Prompt General Mills Recall Expansion
After 10 million pounds of flour was voluntarily recalled on May 31, General Mills has announced the expansion of a flour recall due to new reports of illness stemming from an Escherichia coli outbreak. The flour is linked to at least 38 individuals in 20 states.
The products initially recalled include a number of brands--Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra and Signature Kitchens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration did find the E. coli bacteria in at least one tested flour sample.
A press release on the company’s website reads, "The recall is being expanded due to a newly reported illness that appears to have stemmed from the consumption of raw dough or batter linked to flour produced last fall."
It is suspected that additional cases of foodborne illness will arise since flour has a long shelf life and contaminated batches of flour may not be consumed until later. General Mills is urging consumers who have been officially diagnosed by a physician with having an E. coli O121 illness to contact state and local public health officials immediately.
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