Federal health officials closed their investigation into foodborne illnesses linked to wheat flour milled by General Mills with a renewed warning to consumers to look for, and discard, packages of flour covered by the recall. “Consumers unaware of the recall could continue to use these recalled flour products and potentially get sick,” said FDA.
“Although the outbreak investigation is over, illnesses are expected to continue for some time,” said a CDC report quoted by Food Safety News. “This outbreak is a reminder that is it not safe to taste or eat raw dough or batter, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour.” Some 63 people in 24 states became ill from E. coli infections linked to the flour produced at a Kansas City facility.
General Mills recalled an estimated 45 million pounds of flour beginning on May 31, said Food Safety News. The company said the recall was “a small percentage of the flour we produce.” On an internet page devoted to the flour recall, General Mills said, “Illnesses have not come from properly baked or cooked flour.” The page includes a list of recalled products.