(WWJ) Check your pantry, as a popular brand of flour has been recalled.
General Mills announced Wednesday that some five-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached Flour are being recalled due to the potential presence of Salmonella, which was discovered during sampling the product.
The recall is only for five-pound bags of Gold Medal Unbleached Flour with a "Better if Used By" date of April 20, 2020.
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour Package UPC 000-16000-19610-0Recalled Better if Used by Date 20APR2020KC
This recall only includes this one date code, the company said, and all types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected.
The recall is being issued "out of an abundance of care," the company said.
“Food safety is our top priority, and though we have not had any confirmed illnesses, we are voluntarily recalling this specific lot of Gold Medal Unbleached Flour to prevent potential illnesses,” said Jim Murphy, President of General Mills Meals and Baking Division. “This recall does not involve any other flour products, and we are continuing to educate consumers that flour is not a ‘ready to eat’ ingredient. Anything you make with flour must be cooked or baked before eating.”
Anyone who has the affected flour at home should throw it out. To get a refund, consumers call call General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or visit GeneralMills.com/Flour for more information.
Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Generally, the FDA and CDC guidance is that consumers should refrain from eating any raw products made with flour. Salmonella is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.