General Mills recalls Gold Medal brand flour after multistate salmonella outbreak, reports IDPH

CHICAGO – Illinois public health officials are warning residents of a multistate outbreak of salmonella and flour recall linked to Gold Medal branded flour, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The IDPH is working with local health departments, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections linked to Gold Medal brand flour produced by Minneapolis, Minnesota-based General Mills.

According to the CDC, there have been 13 illnesses reported nationwide, including three hospitalizations linked to the outbreak as of Monday. Two of the cases are in Illinois.

General Mills issued a voluntary nationwide recall of two-, five- and 10-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with a “Better if Used By” date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024, according to a news release from the IDPH. No other types of Gold Medal Flour are affected by the recall as of Monday.

Public health officials warn consumers to check their flour that still has the packaging to see if the dates match the recall. If they put the flour in a container and don’t keep the packaging, and they typically buy Gold Medal flour, they are encouraged to dispose of that rather than use it.

Symptoms of illness caused by Salmonella may include headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, chills, fever, nausea and dehydration., according to the IDPH. Symptoms are usually experienced 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of Salmonella is advised to contact their healthcare provider immediately.

IDPH is working with local health departments to identify additional cases in Illinois.

For more information about foodborne illnesses from the CDC, visit www.fda.gov/food/recalls-outbreaks-emergencies.com.