Gold Medal unbleached flour under voluntary recall for E.coli risk

The company said it issued the recall after E. coli O26 was discovered during sampling of the five-pound bags.

The recall is voluntary, and General Mills has not received any consumer reports of confirmed illnesses related to this product.

Consumers are asked to check pantries and throw away the recalled flour. Consumers who have to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control warn that consumers should not consume any raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.

This voluntary recall includes the following code date currently in stores or consumers’ pantries:

Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but E. coli O26 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O26 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.