FDA Provides Update on E. coli Outbreak Linked to Flour, More Product Added to Recall

FDA released an update on the outbreak investigation into the illnesses cased by E. coli linked to flour.  There have been 17 cases so far, with the last one occurring mid-April.

Another company was added to those issued a flour related recall due to this.  Brand Castle is recalling cookie and brownie mixes.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o26-linked-adm-milling-co-flour-may-2019
Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O26 Linked to ADM Milling Co. Flour, May 2019

Additional recall linked to ADM Milling Co. flour; Brand Castle, LLC announces recall of several cookie and brownie mixes due to potentially contaminated flour

Case Counts

• Total Illnesses: 17
•  Hospitalizations: 3
•  Deaths: 0
•  Last illness onset: April 18, 2019

•  ALDI Product Distribution: CT, DE, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV
•  King Arthur Flour Distribution: Nationwide
•  Pillsbury Best Bread Flour Distribution: CT, DE, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA
•  Brand Castle Cookie and Brownie mixes:  AL, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, SC, UT

What Products are Recalled?

At this time recalled products include:

Brand Castle cookie and brownie mixes, sold in 25 oz and 32 oz glass jars

• Brand Castle Arctic Chill Chocolate Mint Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01035-2  Lot: L6112618
• Brand Castle Hot Cocoa Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01036-9 Lot: L5111918
• Sisters Gourmet Million Dollar Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-00002-5  Lot: L2121818
• Sisters Gourmet Billion Dollar Brownie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-00017-9  Lot: 31OCT2019BC8324
• In the Mix Chocolate Mint Chip Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01081-9 Lot: LM101518
• Brand Castle The Grinch Sugar Cookie Mix with Sprinkles ◦UPC: 6-54448-01038-3  Lot: 25JUL2019BC8324

ALDI Baker’s Corner All Purpose flour

• All five-pound bags, all lot codes, and all best if used by dates for product distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia

King Arthur Flour

• •Five-pound bags of unbleached all-purpose flour with the following lot codes and best by dates: BEST USED BY 12/07/19   LOT: L18A07C, ◦BEST USED BY 12/08/19   LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B BEST USED BY 12/14/19   LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C

This does not include products sold through the King Arthur website, Baker’s Catalogue, or the Baker’s Store in Norwich, VT.

Pillsbury Best Bread Flour

• Five-pound bags of flour distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia with UPC Code 0 5150020031 5 and the following lot codes and use-by dates: ◦Lot Code: 8 342 Use-By Date: JUN 08 2020  Lot Code: 8 343 Use-By Date: JUN 09 2020

What is E. coli?

E. coli are mostly harmless bacteria that live in the intestines of people and animals and contribute to intestinal health. However, eating or drinking food or water contaminated with certain types of E. coli can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal illness. Some types of pathogenic (illness-causing) E. coli, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can be life-threatening.

People infected with pathogenic E. coli can start to notice symptoms anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or as much as nine days later. Generally, the symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.

The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli causing the infection. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems. Other infections may have no symptoms or may resolve without medical treatment within five to seven days.

Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their health care provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble an E. coli infection., including HUS, but even healthy older children and young adults can become seriously ill.

People of any age can become infected with pathogenic E. coli. Children under the age of 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness as a result of an E. coli infection. However, even healthy older children and young adults can become seriously ill.

What Else Should Restaurants and Retailers Do?

In the event that retailers and/or other food service operators are found to have handled recalled or other potentially contaminated food in their facilities, they should:

•Contact their local health department and communicate to their customers regarding possible exposure to E.coli.

•Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.

•Wash and sanitize display cases and surfaces used to potentially store, serve, or prepare potentially contaminated foods.

•Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

•Conduct regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in processing to help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

What Else Should Consumers Do?

People should consult their healthcare provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble an E.coli infection.

Consumers should follow these steps for preventing foodborne illness:

•Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.

•Wash and sanitize surfaces used to serve or store potentially contaminated products.

•Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Consumers can also submit a voluntarily report, a complaint, or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction) related to a food product.

June 21, 2019

On June 21, 2019, Brand Castle, LLC, of Bedford Heights, Ohio, recalled several brands of cookie and brownie mix because flour used in them was potentially contaminated with E. coli. The following Brand Castle mixes, sold in 25-oz and 32-oz glass jars, were recalled:

•Brand Castle Arctic Chill Chocolate Mint Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01035-2

◦Lot: L6112618

•Brand Castle Hot Cocoa Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01036-9

◦Lot: L5111918

•Sisters Gourmet Million Dollar Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-00002-5

◦Lot: L2121818

•Sisters Gourmet Billion Dollar Brownie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-00017-9

◦Lot: 31OCT2019BC8324

•In the Mix Chocolate Mint Chip Cookie Mix ◦UPC: 6-54448-01081-9

◦Lot: LM101518

•Brand Castle The Grinch Sugar Cookie Mix with Sprinkles ◦UPC: 6-54448-01038-3

◦Lot: 25JUL2019BC8324

The products were distributed in Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah. Brand Castle initiated the recall in cooperation with ADM Milling Co.

Photos of these products are available in the Brand Castle LLC press release.

Recommendation:

Consumers should not use or eat recalled flour or bake mixes.

Due to potential contamination with E. coli O26, do not eat any raw cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked.

Wash hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour and raw batter or dough products.

Keep raw foods separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any contamination that may be present from spreading. Be aware that flour or cake mix may spread easily due to its powdery nature.