E. coli concerns prompt recall of General Mills flour

Updated: 5:45 p.m. | Posted: 2:14 p.m.

General Mills is voluntarily recalling more than 10 million pounds of Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens branded flour products amid concerns they could be linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak.

So far the strain in question, E. coli O121, hasn't been found in any General Mills flour or at its manufacturing facility, the Minneapolis-based company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The recall is voluntary and was made "out of an abundance of caution," General Mills said.

The affected products were sold at Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls and Acme stores.

E. coli-related illnesses have turned up in 20 states between mid-December and early May.

About half of the 38 people sickened with E. coli O121 reported using flour to cook something before they fell ill, and some said they'd used a General Mills product. Others also said they had eaten raw dough or batter.

Minnesota Department of Health spokesperson Doug Schultz said three of the E. coli cases were in the Twin Cities.

The child and two adults sickened all recovered and weren't hospitalized, he said.

General Mills has posted a list of the recalled products on its website. The company says people with affected products should throw them away.