An E. coli O121 outbreak has prompted General Mills to recall about 10 million pounds of flour. To date, the outbreak has sickened 38 people in 20 states. (As of July, 25, the count is 46 people in 21 states, with 13 hospitalized, one of whom has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which causes kidney failure.)
The 38 illnesses in 20 states occurred between December 21, 2015 and May 3, 2016. (As of July 25, the range of onset of illness is December 21, 2015 to June 26, 2016.)
According to the company website: “While attempting to track the cause of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately half of the individuals reported making something homemade with flour at some point prior to becoming ill. Some reported using General Mills brand flour.”
Our law firm is investigating this outbreak and the recall discussed below. Our lawyers are based in Minnesota, where General Mills has offices. Our E. coli lawyers have won millions for clients throughout the United States, including $4.5 million for a woman who contracted an E. coli infection from contaminated beef and then developed a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Contact our law firm for a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers about a lawsuit seeking compensation and justice.
General Mills Flour Recall
General Mills, based in Golden Valley, Minnesota, issued a recall of certain lots of flour sold under the Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens brands. The recall was prompted by a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 that “may be potentially linked to Gold Medal flour, Wondra flour, and Signature Kitchens flour” (sold in Safeway, Albertons, Jewel, Shaw, Vons, United, Randalls and Acme), according to the company recall announcement. “To date, E. coli O121 has not been found in any General Mills flour products or in the flour manufacturing facility, and the company has not been contacted directly by any consumer reporting confirmed illnesses related to these products,” said the company.
The recall affects the following retail flour products that could be currently in stores or in consumers’ pantries:
- 13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra, Package UPC 000-16000-18980, with recalled better-if-used-by dates of 25 February 2017 through 30 March 2017;
- 2 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, package UPC 000-16000-10710, recalled better-if-used-by dates 25 May 2017 through 3 June 2017;
- 5 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, package UPC 000-16000-10610, recalled better-if-used-by dates: 25 May 2017, 27 May 2017 through 31 May 2017, 1 June 2017, 3 June 2017 through 5 June 2017, 11 June 2017 through 14 June 2017;
- 10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, package UPC 000-16000-10410, recalled better-if-used-by dates of 2 June 2017KC, 3 June 2017KC;
- 10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, package UPC 10410, recalled better if used by dates of 3 June 2017KC, 4 June 2017KC, 5 June 2017KC;
- 5 pound Gold Medal Unbleached Flour, package UPC 000-16000-19610, recalled better-if-used-by dates of 25 May 2017, 27 May 2017, 3 June 2017, 4 June 2017;
- 5 pound Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached, package UPC 000-21130-53001, recalled better-if-used-by date of 28 May 2017;
- 5 pound Signature Kitchens Unbleached Flour All Purpose Enriched, package UPC 000-21130-53022, recalled better-if-used-by date of 27 May 2017;
- 2 pound Gold Medal Self Rising Flour, package UPC 000-16000-11710, recalled better-if-used-by date of 23 August 2016.