Flour Recall Lawsuit

In 2019, multiple recalls were issued for several flour products after an outbreak of E. coli infected at least 21 people in 9 states.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

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.

UPDATE: 13 People Sick in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour

In April 2023, General Mills recalled 2-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound bags of Gold Medal® Bleached and Unbleached All-Purpose Flour nationwide after the product was linked to an outbreak of Salmonella. At least 13 people in 12 states were infected with Salmonella between December 2022 and March 2023, including 3 people who were hospitalized due to a severe illness. The recalled bags of flour have “Better If Used By” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024.

21 Sickened in Flour E. coli Outbreak

The CDC reported that at least 21 people in 9 states were infected with E. coli O26 after eating a variety of flour products between December 2018 and May 2019. Three of the victims were hospitalized due to severe illnesses.

UNFI Recalls Wild Harvest® Flour for E. coli Risk

In November 2019, UNFI recalled 5-pound bags of Wild Harvest® Organic All-Purpose Flour after a random sample tested positive for E c.oli. The flour is labeled with a Code of AA BEST IF USED BY 010820 CC 15:58 and UPC Code 711535509158.

Hodgson Mill Recalls White Wheat Flour

In November 2019, Hodgson Mill recalled 5-pound bags of Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour after a sample tested positive for E. coli. The flour is marked with UPC 0-71518-05009-2, Best By Date 10-01-2020 and 10-02-2020, with Lot # 001042 & 005517.

King Arthur Expands Flour Recall

In October 2019, King Arthur expanded a recall from June 2019 to include more bags of 5-pound and 25-pound Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to a risk of E. coli contamination. No reports of illnesses have been linked to the recalled flour. The flour was milled at an ADM Milling facility in Buffalo, New York and distributed nationwide.

J.M. Smucker Company Recalls Robin Hood® Flour

In October 2019, The J.M. Smucker Company recalled certain lots of Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour due to possible E. coli contamination. The recall involves Lot #8350 513, #8351 513, #8354 513, and #8355 513.

Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour Recall

In September 2019, General Mills recalled certain 5-pound bags of Gold Medal® All-Purpose Flour due to a possible risk of E. coli contamination. The recall was issued after a bag tested positive for E. coli O26. No illnesses were reported. The recalled flour has“best by” dates of September 6, 2020.

2019 Flour E. coli Outbreak

In May and June 2019, several types of flour were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. The following products have been recalled:

Glass Jars of Cookie and Brownie Mix

• On June 21, 2019, Brand Castle recalled 25-oz and 32-oz glass jars of cookie and brownie mix because it may be contaminated with E. coli.

Pillsbury Best Bread Flour

• On June 14, 2019, Hometown Food Company, a customer of ADM Milling Co., announced a recall of 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour with UPC Code 0 5150020031 5 and the following lot codes and use-by dates:
  • Lot Code: 8 342, Use-By Date: JUN 08 2020
  • Lot Code: 8 343, Use-By Date: JUN 09 2020

King Arthur Flour

• On June 13, 2019, King Arthur Flour, Inc., a customer of ADM Milling Co., announced a recall of 14,218 cases of 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour.
• This recall was expanded in October 2019 to include 5-lb and 25-lb bags of flour.
• You can identify recalled flour by looking for the following best-used-by dates and lot codes on the bag’s side panel, below the nutrition facts box:
  • Best Used By 12/07/19, Lot: L18A07C
  • Best Used By 12/08/19, Lots: L18A08A, L18A08B
  • Best Used By 12/14/19, Lots: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C

ALDI Baker’s Corner All Purpose flour

• On May 23, 2019, ALDI, in association with ADM Milling Co., recalled all 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour.
• Recalled flour was sold at retail locations in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia

2016 Flour E. coli Outbreak

July 26, 2016 — General Mills is expanding a recall for potentially E. coli-contaminated flour after 46 illnesses in were reported in 21 states. The flour has tested positive for Shiga-toxin producing E. coli O26 and O121. Click here for a list of recalled flour.

Betty Crocker Cake Mix Recall — Two flavors of Betty Crocker cake mix have been recalled because the flavor chips (or bits) may contain flour that is contaminated with E. coli:

• Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Party Rainbow Chip Cake Mix
• Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix

Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix — A recall has been issued for Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix because the blueberries contain flour that could be contaminated with E. coli. Click here to read more.

Gold Medal, Wondra, Signature Kitchens, etc. — General Mills is expanding a recall for Gold Medal, Signature Kitchens, and Wondra flour after 4 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.

General Mills is recalling Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra, and Signature Kitchens Flour because they may be contaminated with E. coli O121. Signature Kitchens flour was sold in Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls, and Acme.

General Mills said no products or manufacturing facilities have tested positive for E. coli. The recall was issued after health officials said approximately half of the people who were diagnosed with the outbreak strain reported baking something homemade in the days before getting sick.

What Should I Do?

Do not eat recalled flour, even if you have consumed some of it without getting food poisoning. You can bring it back to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

Never eat raw flour, dough, or batter. E. coli is killed by baking, frying, and boiling. You can also get sick by failing to wash your hands, work surfaces, and utensils. According to the FDA:

“Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O121 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.”

How Does E. Coli Get Into Flour?

E. coli is found in the intestines of humans and many animals. Flour comes from wheat, which is grown outdoors and can become contaminated by feces in dirty water.

Outbreaks of E. coli from flour are rare, but in 2009, an outbreak linked to raw Nestlé’s Toll House cookie dough sickened over 70 people in 30 states.

General Mills heats the flour used in its Pillsbury cookie dough to kill E. coli. However, raw flour used for baking is not heat-treated because it could impact performance and rising.

E. coli Food Poisoning

E. coli O121 is a dangerous strain that produces Shiga toxin. It typically causes illness within 2-8 days, and the illness usually lasts about a week. Symptoms may include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, and fever.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

One of the victims developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Around 5-10% of people who are diagnosed with an E. coli infection develop HUS, which is a type of kidney failure that requires hospitalization. In severe cases, HUS causes kidney failure and death. The risk is highest for children under 5 years old, older adults, and people with underlying medical issues.

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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