General Mills Recalls Flour Over E. Coli Concerns

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday, General Mills announced the nationwide recall of its Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour in 5-pound bags, marked with a better-if-used-by date of Sept. 6, 2020, Food Safety News reports. The company yanked the flour over concerns that the bags could contain E. coli 026, which officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uncovered during routine sampling.

“This recall only affects this one date code of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour five-pound bags. All other types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected by this recall,” the company said in its recall statement.

As of September 17, General Mills had not received any direct reports of consumer illnesses related to the product. The FDA recommended disposing of the flour if consumers have it on hand. “Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product,” the agency said.

The following packaging information should help consumers determine if the flour falls under the recall notice:

• 5 lb. Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour
• Package UPC Number – 016000 196100
• Better If Used By Date – 06SEP2020KC

The FDA reminded consumers to not eat any raw products made with flour, adding that “E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour.”

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