ALBANY — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that a popular brand of flour could contain salmonella, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and fever.
The CDC said Monday that investigators have identified 13 people sickened in multiple states from General Mills’ Gold Medal all-purpose flour made in a Missouri factory. One of the people who fell ill is from New York. Three people have been hospitalized.
General Mills recalled all-purpose flour, bleached and unbleached, coming in 2-, 5- and10-poiund bags that have “better if used by” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. The product should be thrown away or returned to the point of sale. Any food made with it should also be discarded.
The food safety alert was also a chance for health officials to remind consumers about the importance of not eating raw dough.
Those sickened are from 12 states, but the CDC believes “the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreaks may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.”
People infected with salmonella develop stomach issues six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria, the CDC said. The illness can last up to a week, but many people will recover without seeking medical care.
But in some, such as the elderly, young children and those who are immunocompromised, salmonella can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body and cause severe illness.
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