Hodgson Mill has issued a voluntary recall of their unbleached all-purpose white wheat flour due to the potential presence of E.coli.
The Effingham, Ill-based company’s announcement through the FDA stated they are taking this precautionary step because of the potential presence of pathogenic E.coli that was discovered through sampling raw uncooked flour.
The only product affected by the recall is:
Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour (5 lb.) UPC 0-71518-05009-2
Best By Date 10-01-2020 and 10-02-2020 with lot codes listed Lot# 001042 & 005517
Use By and Lot Code information can be found on the bottom back panel of the five pound bag. Used By date and Lot Code, along with their location on the bag, must all match in order to represent flour affected by this recall.
Hodgson Mill packaging states “do not eat raw flour, dough or batter”. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns consumers to not consume raw flour or uncooked raw dough.
Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough products or flour, and to never eat raw dough or batter.
Consumers who have purchased five pound packages of Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour with specific lot codes are urged to stop using the product immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company customer service M-F 9am to 3pm at 1-888-417-9343 x 1.
Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
E.coli is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing, or boiling products made with flour. For more information, refer to the following: https://www.cdc.gov/features/no-raw-dough/index.html. Symptoms of pathogenic E. coli illness includes acute, often bloody diarrheal illness and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within a week. However, children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness which may cause the kidneys to fail.
