Flour Recall Expanded Due to Additional Cases of E. coli Infection

General Mills expanded their recall of retail flour from which was initially announced on May 21, 2017 due to 4 additional cases of E. coli infection.  According to the report, these cases are "connected with consumers reporting that they ate or handled uncooked dough or ate uncooked batter made with raw flour"

Also in the news report:

"At this time, it is unknown if we are experiencing a higher prevalence of E.coli in flour than normal, if this is an issue isolated to General Mills' flour, or if this is an issue across the flour industry. The newer detection and genome sequencing tools are also possibly making a connection to flour that may have always existed at these levels." 

Whole genome sequencing has changed the game in terms of tracking the organism responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks.  But is this why see these outbreaks, or is there something occurring in the food supply chain, specifically higher contamination levels of E. coli in grains.


PR Newswire
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-mills-expands-retail-flour-recall-300303366.html
General Mills Expands Retail Flour Recall

Consumers are reminded not to eat uncooked dough or batter made with raw flour


MINNEAPOLIS, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to four new confirmed illnesses, General Mills is adding additional flour production dates to the previously announced U.S. retail flour recall that was originally announced on May 31, 2016. The illnesses reported to health officials continue to be connected with consumers reporting that they ate or handled uncooked dough or ate uncooked batter made with raw flour. No illnesses have been connected with flour that has been properly baked, cooked or handled.

The addition of new flour production dates is the result of General Mills conducting proactive flour testing and new information from health officials who are using new whole genome sequencing techniques to trace illnesses. E.coli (several sub-types) has been detected in a small number of General Mills flour samples and some have been linked to new patient illnesses that fell outside of the previously recalled dates.

At this time, it is unknown if we are experiencing a higher prevalence of E.coli in flour than normal, if this is an issue isolated to General Mills' flour, or if this is an issue across the flour industry. The newer detection and genome sequencing tools are also possibly making a connection to flour that may have always existed at these levels.

"As a leader in flour production for 150 years, General Mills is committed to convening experts to work with government officials to learn more and create new protocols, if needed," said General Mills President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Harmening. "Most importantly, we want all the avid home bakers out there to have peace of mind and know the most important thing they can do to keep safe is to not eat uncooked flour."

Flour is a raw ingredient that is intended to be cooked or baked. Flour is made from wheat that is grown outdoors where bacteria are often present and the normal flour milling process does not remove these bacteria.

In order for severe E. coli illness to occur from flour, all three of the following things have to happen:

1. The flour a consumer is using has to contain the rare sub-types of E.coli that can make you sick.
2. The consumer has to eat raw dough, batter or other uncooked food made with the flour, or handle the raw dough and not wash their hands.
3. The consumer's individual health characteristics will impact if they get sick and how severely. Some consumers have mild symptoms and others get very sick. It is not always known who will get sick and who will not.

Previously announced recalled flour production dates ranged from November 4, 2015 through December 4, 2015. The expansion announced today includes select production dates through February 10, 2016. The new recall applies only to the specific product and date codes listed below.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-mills-expands-retail-flour-recall-300303366.html

Consumers are asked to throw away any flour in their possession that is part of this recall. A full list of retail products included in the flour recall since May 31, 2016 can be found at www.generalmills.com/flour.

Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some strains of E. coli create 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. Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be found on the FDA website and the CDC website.

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

Consumers with questions or requesting replacement product should contact General Mills at 1-800-230-81031-800-230-8103FREE. Consumer information can also be found at www.generalmills.com/flour.

SOURCE General Mills

CDC News Release
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/index.html
Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli Infections Linked to Flour


At A GlanceCase Count: 46
States: 21
Deaths: 0
Hospitalizations: 13
Recall: Yes


http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/index.html


Posted July 25, 2016 4:30PM EST

What's New?

On July 25, 2016, General Mills expanded its recall to include more production dates. A list of all the recalled flours and how to identify them is available on the Advice to Consumers page.
Four more ill people have been reported from two states. The most recent illness started on June 25, 2016.
An infection with another serotype, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC O26), has been added to this outbreak investigation. STEC O26 was isolated from a sample of General Mills flour.
One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.

Highlights

Read the Recall & Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers>>
CDC, multiple states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) infections.
46 people infected with the outbreak strains of STEC O121 or STEC O26 have been reported from 21 states.
Thirteen ill people have been hospitalized. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicate that flour produced at the General Mills facility in Kansas City, Missouri is a likely source of this outbreak.
Several recalls and recall expansions have been announced as a result of this investigation. On July 25, 2016, General Mills further expanded its flour recall to include additional lots.
A list of the recalled flours and how to identify them is available on the Advice to Consumers page.
CDC recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers do not use, serve, or sell the recalled flours.
Do not eat raw dough or batter, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour. Flour or other ingredients used to make raw dough or batter can be contaminated with STEC and other pathogens.
Consumers should bake all items made with raw dough or batter before eating them. Do not taste raw dough or batter.
Restaurants and retailers should not serve raw dough to customers or allow children and other guests to play with raw dough.
This investigation is ongoing, and we will update the public when more information becomes available.