July 5, 2016 — General Mills is expanding a recall for Gold Medal, Signature Kitchens, and Wondra flour after four more E. coli illnesses were reported.
The recall includes flour made earlier in the fall that may still be in consumers’ pantries. For a complete list of recalled products, click here to visit General Mills’ website.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports a total of 42 illnesses in 21 states, with 11 people hospitalized. No deaths have occurred, but E. coli can cause kidney failure and other life-threatening complications.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121 has been detected in samples of flour that was collected from the homes of sick people in Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
The most recent illness was reported on June 8. It can take several weeks for health officials to report an illness after a person gets sick. Illnesses that occurred after June 2 might not be reported yet.
In the meantime, the FDA says you should never eat uncooked products made with raw flour, including cake batter and cookie dough. It is also important to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen when making foods with raw flour.
Flour is not heat-treated before it is sold in the store. It is milled from grains that are grown outdoors where they can be contaminated by cow manure and bird droppings. E. coli is killed by baking, frying, sautéing, or boiling.
Symptoms of E. coli food poisoning:
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea (sudden, severe, watery, and may be bloody)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Fever
Do I have a Flour Recall Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting flour induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with E. coli, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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