Multistate Outbreak of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O121 Infections Linked to Flour

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), multiple states, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 (STEC O121) infections. Thirty-eight people infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O121 have been reported from 20 states. Ten ill people have been hospitalized. No one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, and no deaths have been reported.

Collaborative investigative efforts indicate that flour produced at the General Mills facility in Kansas City, Mo. is a likely source of this outbreak. On May 31, 2016, General Mills recalled several different sizes and varieties of Gold Medal Flour, Gold Medal Wondra Flour, and Signature Kitchens Flour due to possible E. coli contamination.

The CDC recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers do not use, serve, or sell the recalled flours. Do not 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 might be contaminated. Consumers should bake items made with raw dough or batter before eating them. Do not taste raw dough or batter. Restaurants and retailers should not serve raw dough to customers or allow children and other guests to play with raw dough.

Source: CDC