Update June 07, 2023
CDC announced that this outbreak is over, as of June 07, 2023. To this date, a total of 14 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis were reported from 13 states (CA, IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR,
…
TN, VA and WA), 3 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 6, 2022, to May 2, 2023.
Source: CDC
Update May 01, 2023
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that Gold Medal brand flour contaminated with Salmonella has made people sick. As of May 01, 2023,
one more case was reported, increasing the total of people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis to 13 people from 12 states (New Jersey was added). 3 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
On April 28, 2023, General Mills voluntarily issued a nationwide recall of 2-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound bags of Gold Medal Bleached and Unbleached All-Purpose Flour with “Better if Used By” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. The recalled products are:
- Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb bag) UPC: 000-16000-19610
- Gold Medal Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (10 lb bag) UPC: 000-16000-19580
- Gold Medal Bleached All-Purpose Flour (2 lb bag) UPC: 000-16000-10710
- Gold Medal Bleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb bag) UPC: 000-16000-10610
CDC advises consumers to throw away or return any bags of recalled flour and to wash any containers used to store recalled flour with warm water and soap. They also advise that illnesses started on dates ranging from December 6, 2022, to March 1, 2023, and the investigation is ongoing.
Source: CDC
March 30, 2023
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the FDA are investigating a Salmonella Infantis outbreak linked to flour. As of March 30, 2023, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Infantis have been reported from 11 states (CA, IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, OR, TN, and VA). 3 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
Most people reported eating raw dough or batter made with flour before they got sick. Flour was the only common ingredient in the raw dough or batter people reported eating. Investigators are working to identify a specific brand of flour linked to illnesses.
Flour doesn’t look like a raw food, but most flour is raw. This means that it hasn’t been treated to kill germs that cause food poisoning. Any raw (unbaked) flour used to make dough or batter can be contaminated with germs like Salmonella, but Salmonella germs are killed when flour is cooked or baked. You can get sick after eating or tasting raw dough or batter. Children can get sick from handling or eating raw dough used for crafts or play clay.
CDC advises taking these precautions:
- Do not eat raw dough or batter – even a small amount can make you or your child sick. Bake or cook food made with raw flour, like cookie dough or cake batter, before eating it
- Buy heat-treated flour to use in recipes for homemade playdough.
- Wash any bowls, utensils, and surfaces that touched raw flour with warm water and soap.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap before and after using raw flour.
- Keep raw flour, dough, and batter separate from foods that won’t be cooked.
In case you are experiencing Salmonella symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.
Source:
www.cdc.gov