Flour Recall Now Responsible For 46 Illnesses
UPDATE, July 26, 2016: The E.Coli trouble for General Mills doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. The brand announced an expansion of its product recall yesterday after learning of four new confirmed illnesses, bringing the total to 46 in 21 states, linked to their flour products. The recall which was originally for items produced between November 4, 2015 through December 4, 2015 has been expanded to include select production dates through February 10, 2016. The following products are affected:
13.5 Oz. Gold Medal Wondra Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-18980 with better if used by date: 14MAY2017PK
2 Lb. Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-10710 with better if used by dates: 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC, 13AUG2017KC through 21AUG2017KC
4.25 Lb. Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-12670 with better if used by dates: 01AUG2017KC, 19AUG2017KC, 20AUG2017KC, 21AUG2017KC
5 Lb. Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-10610 with better if used by dates: 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC, 13AUG2017KC through 21AUG2017KC
10 Lb. Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-10410 with better if used by dates: 18JUN2017KC, 01AUG2017KC
5 Lb. Gold Medal Unbleached Flour Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-19610 with better if used by dates: 01AUG2017KC, 14AUG2017KC, 15AUG2017KC, 16AUG2017KC, 17AUG2017KC, 19AUG2017KC, 20AUG2017KC
2 Lb. Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached Recalled: Package UPC 000-21130-53000 with better if used by dates: BB 15 AUG 2017, BB 16 AUG 2017
5 Lb. Signature Kitchens Unbleached Flour All Purpose Enriched Recalled: Package UPC 000-21130-53022 with better if used by date: BB 01 AUG 2017
General Mills continues to stress that no illnesses have resulted from flour that has been properly baked, cooked, or handled-so in other words maybe it's time to give up the raw cookie dough. *sigh*
UPDATE, July 12, 2016: Less than two weeks after the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to flour produced at a General Mills plant (and told us we really shouldn't be eating raw cookie dough), we've got more bad news for baked-good fans. Today, General Mills is recalling two Betty Crocker cake mixes, which the company says also were affected by the outbreak.
The affected products are the Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Party Rainbow Chip Cake Mix (called Betty Crocker Super Moist Rainbow Bit Cake Mix in Canada, where this mix has also been recalled) and the Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix. "A General Mills supplier used Wondra flour implicated in the July 1, 2016 recall to manufacture the flavor chips (or bits) used in these two recalled cake mix flavors," the company wrote in a news release.
Super Moist Party Chip Cake Mix Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-40997 with better if used by dates: 25MAR2017, 28MAR2017, 27APR2017, 28APR2017, 23MAY2017, 24MAY2017 and 25MAY2017.
Super Moist Carrot Cake Mix Recalled: Package UPC 000-16000-40987 with better if used by dates: 12APR2017, 13APR2017, 14APR2017, 28MAY2017, 29MAY2017, 30MAY2017, 07JUL2017 and 08JUL2017.
Now, excuse us while we shed a tear for all the Betty Crocker rainbow birthday cakes we can no longer bake this summer.
Original, July 1, 2016: Snacking on raw cookie dough is the best part of baking cookies. But now, the government has released a new warning that might scare you out of the habit for good.
The Food and Drug Administration just released an advisory that pointed out that it's not the raw eggs that are the new danger: it's flour. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to four produced at a General Mills plant in Kansas City, MO. So far, 38 people in 20 states have been sickened by the specific E. coli strain found in flour. The people who got sick ate or handled raw cookie dough using flour produced at that mill.
General Mills has recalled 10 million pounds of the flour, which include unbleached, all-purpose, and self-rising flours. The affected flours were sold with the brand names Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra, and Signature Kitchen's between November 14 and December 4, 2015. The FDA is advising everyone to look at their bags of flour, because the product can last a long time in a pantry. If you have an affected product, throw it away immediately.
When people put the cookie dough in the oven, it kills bacteria that can cause symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps, or even more serious symptoms like kidney failure. The same goes for the risk of Salmonella infection from eating raw eggs in the dough. The New York Times notes that you should wash your hands before and after handling flour, don't let kids play with homemade play dough, and seal your flour container to prevent contamination.
One more major buzzkill: According to the FDA, you shouldn't just avoid eating raw cookie dough-you should also never make homemade cookie dough ice cream. If you love that flavor, just buy it in the store, where manufacturers have treated the flour and pasteurized the eggs. Good thing we came up with this seriously awesome cookie dough dip. You're welcome.
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