UNFI and Hodgson Mill have joined a slew of companies that have recalled flour in 2019 due to E. coli contamination.
No illnesses were reported. However, earlier this year, several other types of flour were linked to an outbreak of E. coli that infected at least 21 people in nine states.
Recalls have been issued by Pillsbury, General Mills, King Arthur, The J.M. Smucker Company, and other companies.
The most recent recalls were issued “out of an abundance of care,” according to the official notice posted by the FDA on November 27.
UNFI recalled 5-pound bags of Wild Harvest® Organic All-Purpose Flour after a random sample tested positive for E. coli. The flour is labeled with a Code of AA BEST IF USED BY 010820 CC 15:58 and UPC Code 711535509158.
Hodgson Mill recalled 5-pound bags of Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour after a sample tested positive for E. coli. The product is marked with UPC 0-71518-05009-2, Best By Date 10-01-2020 and 10-02-2020, with Lot # 001042 and 005517.
E. coli is a bacteria that can be killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing, or boiling products made with flour.
Consumers can become infected with E. coli if they eat raw dough or batter, or fail to wash their hands, work surfaces, or utensils after contact with raw flour.
E. coli infections typically cause a diarrheal illness and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some people develop a severe illness called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) that can lead to kidney failure or death.
Source: Two Flour Products Recalled Due to Concerns About E. coli
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