Flour manufactured by ADM Milling and sold by Aldi has been linked to 17 cases of E. coli O26 illness in eight states.
Three people have been hospitalized.
ADM Milling and Aldi have jointly recalled all lots and date codes of the following product:
Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour (5-lb bag; UPC 041498130404)
The recalled product was sold in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
According to CDC, illnesses associated with this outbreak have been reported in California (1), Connecticut (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (5), Ohio (5), Pennsylvania (2), and Rhode Island (1).
Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 11, 2018 to April 18, 2019. Ill people range in age from 7 to 86 years, with a median age of 23. Sixty-five percent of the outbreak victims are female.
DNA analysis of an E. coli O26 recovered from an unopened bag of flour revealed a close genetic relationship to the outbreak strain, according to FDA.
Individuals infected with E. coli O26 may experience symptoms that include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
Symptoms may not develop until as long as nine days follwoing infection.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of E. coli O26 infection should consult a healthcare provider.
FDA offers the following recommendations to consumers and food handlers:
- DO NOT use or eat flour from five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packed for ALDI, that includes all lot codes and all Best If Used By Dates distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
- DO NOT eat any raw cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
- WASH hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour and raw batter or dough products.
- KEEP raw foods separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any contamination that may be present from spreading. Be aware that flour or cake mix may spread easily due to its powdery nature.
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