USA – Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Flour – Outbreak is Over.

Several brands and types of flour were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Consumers should not use recalled products.

Consumers should not use any of the recalled flour. Throw it out.

• If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
• Thoroughly wash the container before using it again.

Eating raw dough can make you sick.

• Any flour or raw eggs used to make dough or batter might be contaminated with harmful germs.
• Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before eating it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
• Do not taste raw dough or batter. Even tasting a small amount could make you sick.

Clean up thoroughly after baking.

• Wash any bowls, utensils, and other surfaces that were used when baking with warm water and soap.
• Wash your hands with water and soap before and after baking.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw dough.

Restaurants and other retailers should not use, sell, or serve any of the recalled flour.

• If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
• Restaurants and retailers should thoroughly wash flour storage containers before using them again.

Restaurants and other retailers should always be safe with raw dough.

• Do not give customers raw dough to play with or eat. It is not safe to eat or play with raw dough, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour.
• Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before serving or selling it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.

• As of July 11, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
• A total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26 were reported from 9 states.
  • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 11, 2018, to May 21, 2019.
  • Three hospitalizations and no deaths were reported.
• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence, supported by product distribution records, indicated flour was the likely source of this outbreak.
• Several products were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Those products include 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sold at ALDI, some 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, certain 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour, and several brands of cookie and brownie mix produced by Brand Castle. For more information about these recalls, visit the FDA websiteexternal icon.