Flour Products Suspected of Bacteria Issue

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American food product manufacturer General Mills has recalled about 4.5 million kilograms of flour.

General Mills announced the flour recall because of a possible link to E. coli infections in 20 states, reported the Associated Press.

Escherichia coli are bacteria found in the environment. The bacteria are often harmless. But some stronger forms of E. coli can make people sick. They can cause diarrhea and dehydration.

The company’s recall was announced on May 31. In the United States, a food recall means that inspectors identified one or more problems with a product.

The General Mills recall is for several kinds of Gold Medal and Signature Kitchens flour. Those products were sold at Safeway, Albertsons and other stores.

Much of the recalled flour was produced at the company’s factory in Kansas City, Missouri, the AP said.

General Mills said E. coli has not been found in any of its flour products. The company said it is still recalling the flour out of “an abundance of caution.”

The company said 38 people became sick from the middle of December through May 3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of the people used flour before getting sick.

Some of the flour used was a General Mills brand. Those getting sick may have also eaten uncooked dough or batter, the company said.

It said people should not eat uncooked dough or batter. General Mills urged people to wash their hands and work surfaces after contact with such products.

I’m Dorothy Gundy.

The Associated Press reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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