General Mills has issued a recall for two batches of its “Gold Medal” All-Purpose Flour after it was found they may be contaminated with salmonella, a highly dangerous bacteria. This recall affects two-pound, five-pound, and ten-pound bags of flour with sell-by dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. Anyone with the affected flour should cease using them immediately, and seek medical attention if you begin experiencing symptoms of a salmonella infection.

What is General Mills?

General Mills is one of America’s largest manufacturers of food and food-related products, including baking mixes, yogurt, cereal, ice cream, and flour. Some of its most famous brands include Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Lucky Charms, Nesquik, Wheaties, Chex, Gold Medal, and Pillsbury, among many others.  The company has an annual revenue of more than $17 billion, and employs roughly 35,000 people in facilities across the world.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that is typically found in the intestines and feces of animals, although it can also sometimes be found in vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Typically, people get infected with salmonella when they eat food that has not been properly stored or prepared, or which have been contaminated with animal feces. Symptoms of salmonella infection typically include headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting, which occur between 12 and 72 hours after being infected.

How Did the Flour Get Contaminated With Salmonella?

While no specific cause for the contamination was listed, salmonella contamination rarely occurs when all safety and hygiene standards have been met. This may indicate a failure to properly store or prepare the flour, allowing the bacteria to spread and grow. It may also indicate problems with hygiene standards at the facility that prepared the flour, which may have allowed surfaces to become contaminated by salmonella bacteria.

What Should You Do if You Have This Flour?

If you have one of the affected products, you should cease use of the flour and clean any surfaces you may have used the flour on. You should also make sure to seal the bag and avoid using it. If you experience any of the symptoms of salmonella, make sure to seek medical attention, and then contact a lawyer who can help you go over your potential legal options.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.