General Mills this week announced a recall of several flour products due to possible links to an ongoing E. coli outbreak.
The Minnesota food giant said that investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about half of individuals sickened by E. coli O121 in recent months reported making something with flour prior to their illnesses.
General Mills officials said that some individuals reported using its flour brands and that some may have consumed raw dough or batter.
The company said that the recall was issued out of "an abundance of caution" and that the E. coli strain was not found in any of its flour products or facilities.
General Mills was also not contacted by any consumers that reported confirmed illnesses related to its flour.
"We felt it was important to not only recall the product and replace it for consumers if there was any doubt, but also to take this opportunity to remind our consumers how to safely handle flour,” General Mills baking division president Liz Nordlie said in a statement.
The recall includes flour sold under the Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens brands at Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls, and Acme stores.
E. coli O121 can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration and can be fatal to those with weakened immune systems. State and federal authorities were investigating 38 reported illnesses across 20 states between December 21, 2015 and May 3.
