General Mills Issues Nationwide Flour Recall Due to Salmonella Contamination

General Mills recalls a popular flour called "Gold Medal." It has issued a voluntary recall of certain bags of its popular flour brand, "Gold Medal," due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

The recall, announced on the US Food and Drug Administration's website, pertains to two types of flour, Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour, with a "better if used by" date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024.

The presence of Salmonella infantis was discovered during the sampling of the five-pound bag product, prompting the recall.

Customers who have purchased these products are urged to dispose of them and contact General Mills for a full refund.

General Mills' Nationwide Flour Recall

General Mills announced a voluntary recall of its Gold Medal flour products due to the possible presence of Salmonella, a bacteria that causes a common foodborne illness called salmonellosis.

According to the FDA, the recall affects specific batches of Gold Medal flour products that were distributed nationwide in the United States.

The affected products include Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose Flour, 2 LB with UPC 000-16000-10710, and 5 LB with UPC 000-16000-10610.

Furthermore, Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour, 5 LB with UPC 000-16000-19610, and 10 LB with UPC 000-16000-19580 are also affected.

All of these General Mills products have expiration dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024.

The recall was initiated after the company found the presence of Salmonella during a sampling of the five-pound bag of Gold Medal flour product.

General Mills has taken immediate action to remove the affected products from store shelves. Customers who have purchased these products are urged to dispose of them and contact General Mills for a full refund.

Furthermore, according to CNN, the company reminds consumers that flour is not a "ready-to-eat" ingredient and must be cooked or baked before consumption to eliminate the risk of foodborne illness.

General Mills has been educating consumers on this matter, and its spokesperson, Mollie Wulff, emphasized the importance of this message.

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Salmonella Contamination from Food

The Mayo Clinic has revealed that salmonella infection, also known as salmonellosis, is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract.

The bacteria, which can be found in both human and animal intestines, are usually transmitted through contaminated water or food.

While some people infected with Salmonella may show no symptoms, most develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within 8 to 72 hours of exposure.

The CDC has noted that people can contract Salmonella from a wide range of foods, including beef, chicken, pork, turkey, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.

Processed foods such as chicken nuggets and butter can also contain Salmonella. Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea lasting more than three days, a fever above 102°F, chills, vomiting, nausea, and blood in the stool.

If these symptoms occur, individuals are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

The Associated Press stated that the U.S. FDA and the CDC advise against consuming raw products made with flour because heat can kill Salmonella through baking, frying, or boiling.

In light of the recall, General Mills urges customers to check their pantries for affected products and dispose of them immediately.

In case the customers have disposed of the products impacted by the recall, they can still reach out to General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 for support.

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