Pillsbury Best bread flour recalled over E. coli concerns

Hometown Food Company is voluntarily recalling specific lots of their 5 lb. Pillsbury Best Bread Flour product due to potential E. coli contamination, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent June 15. The voluntary recall is being initiated after being notified by an ingredient supplier of the potential presence of pathogenic E. coli in these specific lot codes.  

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, supervisory consumer safety officer for 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 Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.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 following product is affected by this recall:

• Pillsbury Best Bread Flour, 5 lbs: UPC: 0 5150020031 5 with Lot Code 8 342 with a “use by” date of June 8 and Lot Code of  8 343 with a “use by” date of June 9

No other “use by” dates and lot codes are affected.  The “use by” date can be found on the side of the package below the Nutrition Facts Panel.

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 call 866-219-9333 daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT.