If you were planning on baking any time soon, you might want to double check your flour. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in association with ADM Milling Co, King Arthur Flour has voluntarily recalled unbleached all-purpose flour due to a health risk involving E. coli. The company, which is out of Norwich, Vermont has recalled 14,218 cases of the flour, so make sure to check your flour bags.
Thankfully the health scare is only pinpointed to six specific lot codes and three Best Used by Dates, which you can find here on the bottom of the side panel.
- BEST USED BY 12/07/19 LOT: L18A07C
- BEST USED BY 12/08/19 LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B
- BEST USED BY 12/14/19 LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C
The product was distributed nationwide to stores such as Target and Walmart and does not include products sold through the King Arthur flour website, Baker's Catalogue or the Baker's Store in Norwich.
According to a statement by King Arthur, the product was put under a voluntary recall after being informed by ADM Milling Co " that certain wheat used to make these lots of King Arthur flour has been linked to an ongoing outbreak of E. coli infections." No illnesses have been reported to date by consumers of the flour. The ADM Milling Co was also recently connected with the Aldi flour recall, where the company recalled 5-pound bags of Baker's Corner All Purpose Flour due to E.coli concerns.
E.coli infections can cause a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults recover completely within a week, however, the elderly and young children can develop a form of kidney failure known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). This could lead to severe kidney damage and even death.
King Arthur is asking its customers to dispose of the contaminated flour and are encouraged to call the King Arthur Flour Consumer Hotline 7 days a week/24 hours a day at 866.797.9178.
