The FDA has updated its investigation of the ADM Milling flour E. coli O26 outbreak with more information about another product recall. On June 13, 2019, King Arthur Flour, a customer of ADM Milling, recalled five pound bags of unbleached all-purpose flour with these lot codes and best by dates: 12/07/19 LOT: L18A07C; 12/08/19 LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B; and 12/14/19 LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C.
This recall does not include products sold through the King Arthur website, Baker’s Catalogue, or the Baker’s Store in Norwich, Vermont. The recall also reminds consumers that all five pound bags, all lot codes, and all best if used by dates of Aldi Baker’s Corner all purpose flour that were distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia are recalled. The FDA found E. coli in an unopened sample of Aldi Baker’s Corner all purpose flour on May 24, 2019.
The June 13, 2019 recall notice for King Arthur flour states that no illnesses have been associated with that product. The FDA notice states that “additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”
The number of illnesses remains the same: 17 people are sick, and three people have been hospitalized. The last illness onset date was April 18, 2019.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include a mild fever, painful and severe stomach and abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that is typically bloody and/or watery. People usually start to feel ill 3 to 7 days after exposure to the pathogen. People of any age can contract this infection, but children under the age of 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill.
If you purchased either of these flour products, discard them and then wash the area where you stored it with a mild bleach solution. Wash any container you may have decanted the flour into. And wash your hands well with soap and water after handling the flour and after cleaning.
