Almost 5,000 cases of Pillsbury flour bags recalled after testing positive for E. coli
- 4,620 eight-count cases were pulled from shelves in 10 states
- E. coli can lie dormant in flour, and is revived when it is hit with water, eggs or milk
- Health officials urge customers to return affected flour to the store or throw it out
Thousands of bags of Pillsbury flour have been recalled after some tested positive for E. coli.
Two specific lots of the brand’s Best 5 lb. Bread Flour were pulled from shelves on Friday in 10 states – Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
All 36,960 recalled bags were manufactured in Buffalo, New York, at ADM Milling’s manufacturing plant.
The US Food and Drug Administration says no illnesses have been reported.
Manufacturers recalled the bags in 10 states on Friday. E. coli tends to fester in moisture. But a recent CDC investigation into E. coli-infected cookie dough found that’s not always the case
They call on customers to throw out packs that bear the following codes:
- UPC Item Code: 0 5150020031 5; Lot Code: 8 342; Use-By Date: JUN 08 2020
- UPC Item Code: 0 5150020031 5; Lot Code: 8 343; Use-By Date: JUN 09 2020
E. coli, which can trigger vomiting and diarrhea within three or four days of consumption, tends to fester in moisture.
But a recent investigation into E. coli-infected cookie dough found that’s not always the case.
A years-long project, led by Dr Samuel Crowe, an epidemiologist at the CDC, found the bacteria can lie hidden in dry products, and is revived when it hits moisture like water or eggs or milk.
Experts say there are three main options for eliminating this risk.
First, the US could change the way it produces flour by heating it up before it’s packaged – but this would change the texture which customers seek out.
Second, manufacturers could blitz it with radiation, as they do to rid pests, but they would need much higher levels of radiation to hit the bacteria.
Third, home bakers could wait until the cookies are out the oven.
None of these courses of action have yet been taken.
For now, health officials suggests bakers trash affected flour, and contact their doctor if they feel ill.