The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today on four additional Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli cases from two states in the multistate outbreak.

Image/General MIlls
Image/General MIlls

This has prompted General Mills to expand it’s recall today by adding additional flour production dates to the previously announced U.S. retail flour recall that was originally announced on May 31, 2016.

In addition, an infection with another serotype, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC O26), has been added to this outbreak investigation. STEC O26 was isolated from a sample of General Mills flour.

In total, 46 people infected with the outbreak strains of STEC O121 or STEC O26 have been reported from 21 states. Thirteen ill people have been hospitalized. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

CDC recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers do not use, serve, or sell the recalled flours.

Do not eat raw dough or batter, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour. Flour or other ingredients used to make raw dough or batter can be contaminated with STEC and other pathogens.

Consumers should bake all items made with raw dough or batter before eating them. Do not taste raw dough or batter.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve raw dough to customers or allow children and other guests to play with raw dough.

This investigation is ongoing.