General Mills expands flour products recall

General Mills has added multiple products to an earlier recall of flour products that could be contaminated with E.coli 0121, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent July 5. The original recall, which stated that some flour products could be contaminated, was announced June 1.

DeCA has publicized the updated information to all its stores, said Chris Wicker, a public health advisor for the Defense Commissary Agency headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has a recalled product in its inventory, the product is immediately removed from store shelves.

The following new products were added to the recall:

• Gold Medal Wondra 13.5 ounce: UPC 000-16000-18980, "better if used by dates" of Feb. 23, 2017 and Feb.24, 2017.
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 2 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10710, "better if used by dates" of May 15, 2017 through May 24, 2017, June 4, 2017 through June 5, 2017, June 11, 2017 through June 14, 2017.
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 10 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10410, "better if used by dates" of May 16, 2017 through May 20, 2017 and June 5, 2017.
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 5 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10610, "better if used by dates" of May 15, 2017 through May 24, 2017.
• Gold Medal Self-Rising Flour 5 pounds: UPC 000-16000-11610, "better if used by dates" of Aug. 10, 2016 and Aug. 11, 2016.

The original recall listed the following products:

• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 2 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10710, "better if used by dates" of May 25, 2017 through June 3, 2017.
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 5 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10610, "better if used by dates" of May 25, 2017; May 27, 2017 through May 31, 2017; June 1, 2017; June 3, 2017 through June 5, 2017 and June 11, 2017 through June 14, 2017.
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour 10 pounds: UPC 000-16000-10410, "better if used by dates" of June 2, 2017 and June 3, 2017.
• Gold Medal Unbleached Flour 5 pounds: UPC 000-16000-19610, "better if used by dates" of May 25, 2017; May 27, 2017; June 3, 2017 and June 4, 2017.

Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers are reminded not to consume any raw products made with flour. Flour is an ingredient that comes from milling wheat, something grown outdoors that carries with it risks of bacteria, which are rendered harmless by baking, frying or boiling.

Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough products or flour, and to never eat raw dough or batter.

Infection with E. coli can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps two to eight days (three to four days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called HUS, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

HUS can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination, and swelling.

Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

For additional information and a full list of products affected by this recall please visit the Food and Drug Administration's page on this recall.

If you have questions about this recall, contact the General Mills at (800) 230-8103.