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General Mills Issues Massive Recall For Gold Medal Flour

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's time to check your pantry!

General Mills is recalling more than 10 million pounds of its Gold Medal flour products, along with its Wondra flour and Signature Kitchens flour, that could possibly be contaminated with E. coli.

General Mills says E. coli hasn't been found in any of its flour products, but is still recalling them out of "an abundance of caution."

The company said Tuesday 38 people were sickened from December to May. While attempting to track the cause of the illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of the people used flour before getting sick, some of which was a General Mills brand. Some may have also eaten raw dough or batter, the Minneapolis food company said.

Consumers are reminded to not consume any raw products made with flour. Flour is an ingredient that comes from milling wheat, something grown outdoors that carries with it risks of bacteria which are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling. 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.

The specific products in the recall include:

•13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-18980
Better if Used by Dates 25FEB2017 thru 30MAR2017

•2 lb. Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-10710
Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC thru 03JUN2017KC

•2lb Gold Medal Self-Rising Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-11710
Better if Used by Dates 23AUG2016KC

•10lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-10410
Better if Used by Dates 02JUN2017KC, 03JUN2017KC

•5lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-10610
Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC, 27MAY2017KC thru 31MAY2017KC, 01JUN2017KC, 03JUN2017KC thru 05JUN2017KC, 11JUN2017KC thru 14JUN2017KC

•5lb Gold Medal Unbleached Flour
Package UPC 000-16000-19610
Better if Used by Dates 25MAY2017KC, 27MAY2017KC, 03JUN2017KC, 04JUN2017KC

•10lb Gold Medal All Purpose Flour- Banded Pack
Package UPC 000-16000-10410
Better if Used by Dates 03JUN2017KC, 04JUN2017KC, 05JUN2017KC

•5lb Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached
Package UPC 000-21130-53001
Better if Used by Dates BB MAY 28 2017

•5lb Signature Kitchens Unbleached Flour All Purpose Enriched
Package UPC 000-21130-53022
Better if Used by Dates BB MAY 27 2017

E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers should throw the recalled products away. Consumers with additional questions or requesting a replacement should contact the company at 800-230-8103. Additional recall information can also be found atwww.generalmills.com/flour.

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