The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IOur severity:SevereFDA (Food)·F-2213-2016·Announced 2016-09-21

General Mills Recalls Multiple Flour Products Due to E. coli O121 Outbreak Link

General Mills is recalling various flour products due to a potential link to a multistate E. coli O121 outbreak. The company states the bacteria has not been found in its products or facilities.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class I

Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The agency classified this recall as Class I — a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. On that classification alone this is scored Severe; a score of Critical is reserved for recalls where a death or serious injury was reported. The agency gives the reason as: "General Mills is recalling a number of products because of a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 that may be potentially linked to Gold Medal flour, Wondra flour, and Signature Kitchens flour. To date, E. coli O121 has not been found in…"

Plain-English summary

General Mills is recalling multiple flour products, including Gold Medal, Wondra, and Signature Kitchens brands, due to a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 that may be potentially linked to these items. The recall covers specific products identified by UPC codes and "Better If Used By" dates, with a total of 614,478 units affected. The products were distributed in all US states except Alaska and South Dakota, as well as in Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and several international locations including Aruba, Hong Kong, China, Bahamas, Jamaica, Bermuda, Curacao, Haiti, and Thailand.

The recall is precautionary in nature regarding the specific General Mills products. To date, E. coli O121 has not been found in any General Mills flour products or in the flour manufacturing facility. Additionally, the company has not been contacted directly by any consumer reporting confirmed illnesses related to these products.

Consumers should check their pantries for the specific products and dates listed in the recall notice. If they have the recalled items, they should stop using them and follow the instructions provided by the recalling firm or the FDA for disposal or return.

The recalled product

Product
2 lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour Case UPC 000-16000-10720 Package UPC 000-16000-10710 Recalled Better If Used By Dates 25MAY2017KC, 26MAY2017KC, 27MAY2017KC, 28MAY2017KC, 29MAY2017KC, 30MAY2017KC, 31MAY2017KC, 01JUN2017KC, 02JUN2017KC, and 03JUN2017KC Expanded recall…
Manufacturer
General Mills, Inc
Affected units
614,478

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (20)

  • Recalled Better If Used By Dates 25MAY2017KC
  • 26MAY2017KC
  • 27MAY2017KC
  • 28MAY2017KC
  • 29MAY2017KC
  • 30MAY2017KC
  • 31MAY2017KC
  • 01JUN2017KC
  • 02JUN2017KC
  • and 03JUN2017KC
  • 04JUN2017KC
  • 05JUN2017KC
  • 16NOV2015KC
  • 17NOV2015KC
  • 19NOV5KC
  • . Expanded recall: 15MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC
  • 11JUN2017KC
  • 12JUN2017KC
  • 13JUN2017KC
  • 14JUN2017KC

Distribution

Distributed in 6 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 10 recalled by General Mills, Inc under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 10 products in this recall →

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