Raw Cookie Dough Ruined for Everyone as Massive Flour Recall Expands

A new report of an illness linked to raw dough has General Mills expanding a nationwide recall that already included 10 million pounds of flour. Products in the recall were sold under the brands Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens.

The recall has been expanded to include flour made earlier last fall after health officials linked an illness to raw dough or batter produced with the flour during that time period, according to a company statement.

This strain of E. coli can be fatal, though only rarely, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many people infected experience bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps days after consumption. Seniors, small children and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk.

Health officials warn consumers to throw out any of the recalled flour, as well as any other flour that is no longer in packaging that can be checked.

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General Mills issued the initial voluntary recall June 1 after half of the people reporting the illness had baked something with flour prior to becoming ill, the company said at the time.

As of June 28, 42 people nationwide had been infected with the E. coli strain linked to flour.

“Flour is derived from a grain that comes directly from the field and typically is not treated to kill bacteria,” said food safety specialist Leslie Smoot in a warning earlier this week from the U.S. Food and Drug administration.

Consumers should not eat raw dough and should be careful when cooking products that are made flour, such as pre-mixed cookie dough.

"Even tasting a small amount could make you sick," according to a CDC statement. Also, hands, surfaces, bowls and utensils should be thoroughly cleaned after cooking.

The FDA encourages fans of homemade cookie dough ice cream to buy commercial products that use treated flour and pasteurized eggs.

See product images and more recall info.

The specific products in the recall include:

13.5 ounce Gold Medal Wondra

• Package UPC 000-16000-18980
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 25FEB2017KC, 24FEB2017KC

2 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-10710
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 15MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC, 04JUN2017KC, 05JUN2017KC, 11JUN2017KC, 12JUN2017KC, 13JUN2017KC, 14JUN2017KC

4.25 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-12670
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 21MAY2017KC, 03JUN2017KC

5 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-10610
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 15MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC

10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-10410
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 16MAY2017KC through 20MAY2017KC, 05JUN2017KC

10 pound Gold Medal All Purpose Flour- Banded Pack

• Package UPC 000-16000-10650
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 15MAY2017KC

5 pound Gold Medal Unbleached Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-19610
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 19MAY2017KC through 24MAY2017KC, 11JUN2017KC, 12JUN2017KC

2 pound Signature Kitchens All Purpose Flour Enriched Bleached

• Package UPC 000-21130-53000
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates BB MAY 27 2017

2 pound Gold Medal Self Rising Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-11710
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 09AUG2016KC, 10AUG2016KC, 16AUG2016KC, 17AUG2016KC, 06SEP2016KC, 07SEP2016KC

5 pound Gold Medal Self Rising Flour

• Package UPC 000-16000-11610
• Recalled Better if Used by Dates 10AUG2016KC, 11AUG2016KC