Two large chain stores, Public and Winn-Dixie, have recalled two lot codes of Pillsbury flour for possible Salmonella contamination. Pillsbury, Hometown Foods, and the FDA have not yet published anything about this recall on their sites.
UPDATE: The FDA has released information about this issue. Ab out 12,245 cases have been recalled. The UPC number of the recalled flour is 0 5150022241 6. Just the lot numbers and the best if used by dates are different on the two lots. No reports of illness have been associated with this recall.
Hometown Food Company is recalling two specific lots of Pillsbury Unbleached All Purpose Flour for possible Salmonella. The GTIN # is 0 5150022241 3, and the two lot codes are 8 292 APR 19 2020 and 8 293 APR 20 2020.
On the Winn Dixie website, the notice states again that Hometown Food is recalling two lots of Pillsbury Unbleached Flour. The flour is packaged in 5 pound bags. The case code for the recalled flour is 0 5150022241 3. The UPC number is 0 5150022241 6 for both lots. The recalled lot codes are 8 292 with best if used by date of APR 19 2020, and 8 293 with best if used by date of APR 2020. The Winn Dixie recall notice3 states that there have been no reports of any illnesses associated with this recall.
Flour, which does not seem like a product that could be contaminated with pathogens, has been recalled in the recent past. Flour should be handled like a product that can be contaminated.
Do not eat any batters or doughs that are made with uncooked flour. Be careful about cross-contamination. It’s very easy for flour to contaminate other surfaces around the kitchen. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling flour. Wash kitchen surfaces, such as countertops and floors, and clean utensils and plates after working with raw flour. And keep flour separate from other foods that are eaten without cooking.
The recall notice on the FDA site has the following warning:
“Flour is made from wheat that is minimally processed. Flour should not be considered a ready-to-eat product. It is an ingredient for baked, fried, and cooked products, and these heating processes ensure the safety of flour with proper handling. All surfaces and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or uncooked dough or batter. Consumers should wash their hands after handling flour or uncooked dough or batter. Consumers should not eat uncooked dough or batter made with raw flour. If you think you became sick from a food containing flour as an ingredient, please call your healthcare provider.”
