King Arthur flour recall again expanded over E. coli concerns

After two previous recalls of select unbleached all-purpose flour products, King Arthur Flour, Inc. is again expanding the recall to include three additional lots codes due to potential E. coli contamination, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Nov. 1.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, Chief, Public Health Division, DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.                       

The new recall expansion adds the following three lot codes:

• King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, 5 lbs: UPC: 071012010509 with the following “best used by” dates and lot codes:
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 9 and lot codes of L18A09A and L18A09C
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 8, 2020 and lot code of A19A08

The previous recall expansion affected these lot codes:

• King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, 5 lbs: UPC: 071012010509 with the following “best used by” dates and lot codes:
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 7 and lot code of L18A04A
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 5 and lot codes of L18A05A, L18A05B and L18A05C
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 9 and lot code of L18A09B
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 10 and lot code of L18A10A
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 13 and lot codes of L18A13B and L18A13C
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 20 and lot codes of L18A20A, L18A20B and L18A20C
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 21 and lot code of L18A21A
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 27 and lot codes of L18A27A, L18A27B and L18A27C
  • “Best used by” date of Dec. 28 and lot code of L18A28A
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 2, 2020 and lot codes of A19A02B and A19A02C
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 3, 2020 and lot codes of A19A03A, A19A03B and A19A03C
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 5, 2020 and lot codes of A19A05A and A19A05B
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 7, 2020 and lot codes of A19A07B and A19A07C
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 8, 2020 and lot code of A19A08B
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 9, 2020 and lot code of A19A09B
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 10, 2020 and lot code of A19A10B
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 12, 2020 and lot code of A19A12A
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 14, 2020 and lot codes of A19A14A, A19A14B and A19A14C
  • “Best used by” date of Jan. 15, 2020 and lot codes of A19A15A and A19A15B

The initial recall issued in June involved the following product:

• King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, 5 lbs: UPC: 071012010509 with Lot code of L18A07C and a “best used by” date of Dec. 7; with Lot codes L18A08A and L18A08B and a “best used by” date of Dec. 8 and Lot codes L18A14A, L18A14B and L18A14C with a “best used by” date of Dec. 14

The “best used by” date and lot code can be found on the bottom of the ingredient side panel. No other products or codes are affected by this recall expansion.

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 Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

HUS can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old 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. The condition can lead to kidney failure and even death.

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

Customers should return these products to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions on the recall may contact the King Arthur Flour Consumer Hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at (866) 797-9178.