CDC Finalizes Investigation on E. coli (STEC O121) in Flour

CDC issued the final report on the E. coli STEC outbreak associated with flour.  The recall of the product was issued in May and then expanded in July.   While CDC expects more cases over time (as people may still have and use recalled flour), there have been 63 cases to date with 17 hospitalizations with one case of HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome).

 

 Dough is meant for cooking, not eating raw or playing with.  Unfortunately, there are those out there who will continue to eat raw dough (you know who you are).  But please don't pass this habit onto the youth.  One, they are at higher risk.  Two, if you are willing to get sick, then fine, but let's not make a new generation of raw dough eaters.  

  

CDC Outbreak Update

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

Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli Infections Linked to Flour (Final Update)

Posted September 29, 2016 12:45PM EST

At A Glance

Case Count: 63(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/epi.html)

States: 24(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/map.html)

Deaths: 0

Hospitalizations: 17

Recall: Yes(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/advice-consumers.html)

 

Highlights

• Although the outbreak investigation is over, illnesses are expected to continue for some time. The recalled flour and flour products have long shelf lives and may still be in people's homes. Consumers who don't know about the recalls could continue to eat the products and get sick. A list of the recalled products and how to identify them is available on the Advice to Consumers page(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/advice-consumers.html).
• CDC, many states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html) (STEC) infections.
• 63 people infected with the outbreak strains of STEC O121 or STEC O26 were reported from 24 states.
• 17 ill people were hospitalized. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported.
• Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicated that flour produced at a General Mills facility in Kansas City, Missouri was the likely source of this outbreak.
• Multiple recalls occurred as a result of this investigation.

This outbreak is a reminder that is it not safe to taste or 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 germs that can make people sick.

• Always bake items made with raw dough or batter before eating them.
• Do not taste raw dough or batter.
• Do not give playdough made with raw flour to children.
• Restaurants and retailers should not serve raw dough to customers or provide raw dough for children and other guests to play with.