FDA and CDC Announce Baker’s Corner Flour E. Coli Outbreak Investigation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health officials are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26 illnesses linked to recalled ALDI’s Baker’s Corner flour. Seventeen people from a total of eight states have been infected with the outbreak strain of E.coli O26. To date, outbreak cases have been confirmed in the following states: California, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

ALDI’s Baker’s Corner Flour E. Coli Outbreak Timeline

Highlights from the FDA and CDC Investigation include:

May 22, 2019 – The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) issues a health advisory stating that consumers should not eat ALDI’s Baker’s Corner Flour, after a flour sample taken from an unopened bag, tests positive for E. coli O26. The RIDOH refers specifically to “five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packed for ALDI with lot code L18A02B and a “best if used by” date of December 02, 2019.”

May 22, 2019 – ALDI, along with ADM Milling Co., announces a recall for ALDI’s Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sold in a 5 lb. bag with a best if used by date of Dec. 2, 2019, lot code L18A02B and the following UPC code: 041498130404. The recall announcement notes that the flour was supplied by ADM Milling Co. from its production facility in Buffalo, N.Y. The recalled flour was distributed to ALDI stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

May 24, 2019 – ALDI and ADM Milling Co. expand the flour recall to include all lots and all “Best If Used By Dates” of ALDI Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour.

May 24, 2019 – The CDC reports that along with the FDA and state officials they are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26 infections linked to flour. According to the CDC, seventeen people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26 across 8 states. Illness onset dates range from December 11, 2018, to April 18, 2019. Three of the outbreak victims required hospitalization.

May 24, 2019 – DNA analysis shows that the E. coli O26 strain identified in the Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sample is closely related genetically to the E. coli O26 strain identified in people sickened in the outbreak. CDC and FDA conclude that these results provide additional evidence that people in this outbreak got sick from eating flour.

CDC and FDA Food Safety Recommendations

The CDC and FDA have made the following food safety recommendations to consumers, retailers and restaurants:

• Consumers should not eat or use any of the recalled Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packed for ALDI. The recalled flour should be thrown away.
• Eating raw dough can make you sick.  Do not eat or taste any raw cake mix, batter, or any other raw dough or batter product that is supposed to be cooked or baked. Even tasting a small amount could make you sick.
• Wash hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour and raw batter or dough products.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating the recalled flour or any raw dough.
• Restaurants and other retailers should not use, sell or serve any of the recalled flour.
  Restaurants and other retailers should always be safe with raw dough.
• Keep raw foods separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any contamination that may be present from spreading. Be aware that flour or cake mix may spread easily due to its powdery nature.

Please see About E. coli and E. coli Symptoms to learn more about E. coli foodborne illness.

Contact The Weinberg Law Firm For Food Poisoning Legal Help

The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you too. If you have been sickened by an E. coli contaminated product, and you would like to learn more about your legal rights, please call our firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274. Our phones are answered 24/7.

To learn about our additional legal services please see Pulmonary Embolism Lawsuit and C Diff Attorney. You may select Personal Injury Lawyer NJ to learn about our additional legal services.