The CDC says an outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections traced to Gold Medal flour is over. The outbreak sickened people from coast to coast.
A total of 14 people were confirmed as patients in the outbreak. They lived in 13 states and three required hospitalization. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 6, 2022, to May 2, 2023. Sick people range in age from 12 to 81 years of age and 92 percent of them are women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although the outbreak has been declared over, additional people could still become sick because of the long shelf life of flour.
Raw flour used for cookie dough, cake batter, and other foods can be contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella. Such pathogens are generally killed during baking. The majority of patients in this outbreak reported eating raw dough before becoming ill.
In connection with the outbreak, General Mills initiated a recall of its Gold Medal flour sold in two-, five- and 10-pound bags. The recall included Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with a “better if used by” date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.
Testing by the FDA showed that the recalled flour produced by General Mills is contaminated with the outbreak strain of Salmonella.
There is concern that people may still have unused portions of the flour in their homes. If consumers have Gold Medal flour that is stored in containers other than the original packaging they should dispose of it because they will not be able to check the labels for recall information.
People with the flour on hand in its original packaging should check for the following label information:
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
| Package UPC | 000-16000-19610 |
| Recalled Better if Used by Date | 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024 |
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 10LB Flour
| Package UPC | 000-16000-19580 |
| Recalled Better if Used by Date | 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024 |
Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 2LB Flour
| Package UPC | 000-16000-10710 |
| Recalled Better if Used by Date | 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024 |
Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
| Package UPC | 000-16000-10610 |
| Recalled Better if Used by Date | 27MAR2024 and 28MAR2024 |
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled flour and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here)
