As part of General Mills’ recall of wheat flour, the government says 13 of the 46 people infected with strains of E coli bacteria, tied to eating or handling raw dough, have been hospitalized, one with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure. “Epidemiology, laboratory and traceback evidence available at this time indicate that General Mills flour manufactured at this facility (a mill in Kansas City) is the likely source of the outbreak,” said the FDA.
General Mills has recalled 45 million pounds of flour since May 31, said Food Safety News. The company said the recall is “a small percentage of the flour we produce.” A spokeswoman told Food Safety News the Kansas City mill remains in operation and that, to date, no E coli has been found at the plant. “We don’t believe the facility to be the source but out of an abundance of caution, elevated cleaning protocols have been followed,” she said.
The FDA said consumers should discard flour that is part of the recall. “As a precaution, consumers, especially children, should not handle raw dough at home or at restaurant locations,” said FDA. E coli bacteria may cause foodborne illness that includes diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
To see the General Mills list of recalled flour, click here.
General Mills said earlier this week that it was unclear if E coli contamination was an issue across the milling industry.