Aldi recalls flour bags in 11 states after E. coli outbreak sickens 17 people and hospitalizes 3

Aldi recalls flour bags in 11 states after E. coli outbreak sickens 17 people and hospitalizes 3

  • Illnesses occurred from December 2018 to April 2019 with those sick ranging between ages seven and 86
  • Three people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported 
  • Cases have been confirmed in California, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island 

ALDI has recalled bags of flour after an E. coli outbreak sickened 17 people in eight states.

The grocery store chain says it is recalling five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All-Purpose Flour that were made at a facility in Buffalo, New York.

According to a release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illnesses occurred from December 2018 to April 2019 with those sick ranging between seven years old and 86.

Three people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported.  

Grocery store chain ALDI recalled five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All-Purpose Flour (pictured) after 17 people in eight states were sickened with E. coli between December 2018 and April 2019

The recalled bags bear the UPC code 041498130404 and was sold at ALDI stores in 11 states. 

These include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. 

Illnesses have been reported in California, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) are bacteria that generally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals.

Infections can occur after coming into contact with the feces of humans or animals, or by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.

Symptoms of an E.coli infection include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. 

In rare cases, sufferers can develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  

This is a condition in which there is an abnormal destruction of blood platelets and red blood cells.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the damaged blood cells can clog the kidney’s filtering system, resulting in life-threatening kidney failure.

No treatment currently exists to treat these infections. They usually disappear within one week, but medical professionals recommend resting and drinking fluids to help prevent dehydration and fatigue.  

Consumers who purchased the flour are urged to either throw it away or return it for a refund.

Those with questions have been asked to call ADM Milling Co Customer Service at 1-800-422-1688 during business hours.

ALDI did not immediately return DailyMail.com’s request for comment. 

This is not the first time bags of flour have been recalled over contamination fears.

In January, General Mills issued a nationwide voluntary recall of bags of Gold Medal Unbleached Flour over salmonella concerns. 

And in March, Hometown Food Co – the parent company of Pillsbury – recalling more than 12,000 cases of Pillsbury Unbleached All Purpose Flour due to a possible salmonella outbreak.

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