Canada: New E. coli outbreak associated with flour in B.C.
I've never heard of e-coli in flour, and usually one would bake it so it'd be safe. But there is that wonderful batter licking experience. I thought it was safe to lick before the eggs were added. Guess I'll have to re-think that.
While it is unknown at this time whether the other people who got sick consumed the same flour, the BCCDC recommends that consumers dispose of Rogers all-purpose flour in a 10-kilogram [22.04 pounds] bag with the lot number MFD 17 Jan 19 C. This flour was available at Costco stores in B.C. beginning in January 2017.
I've never heard of e-coli in flour, and usually one would bake it so it'd be safe. But there is that wonderful batter licking experience. I thought it was safe to lick before the eggs were added. Guess I'll have to re-think that.
BCCDC says the outbreak serves as a reminder that it is not safe to taste or eat raw dough, batter or foods containing raw or under-cooked flour regardless of the type of flour used, and that surfaces that come into contact with raw flour should be thoroughly washed as flour can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
The centre also says that although this outbreak is occurring at the same time as a national outbreak involving a different strain of E. coli O121 that has been linked to various flours and flour products, it is unclear whether there is a link between the two outbreaks.
In March, Robin Hood brand of all-purpose flour was recalled for a possible E. coli O121 contamination, resulting in 25 reported cases of illness. The affected product was sold in stores in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It was later expanded to all of Canada.
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