Ardent Mills Flour E. Coli Outbreak: 30 Victims Believed Linked to Consumption of the Flour Containing E. coli O121

Ardent Mills Flour E. Coli Outbreak:  30 Victims Believed Linked to Consumption of the Flour Containing E. coli O121

Once again, flour is being recalled due to potential contamination with a food borne bacteria.  This time, a popular brand of flour has been recalled in Canada due to the presence of E. coli O121 – Ardent Mills.  The recall affects Robin Hood, Golden Temple, Purity, Brodie, and Creative Baker brands – a full list can be found here. The product recall includes products containing 450 gram to 20 kilograms of flour.

The original source of the Ardent Mills Flour E. Coli Outbreak has not been definitively identified, but there are reports that the source was 11 loads of Canadian wheat that were used in making the products subject to the recall.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has given the Ardent Mills Flour E. Coli Outbreak  recall a Hazard Classification of Class 2.  The original recall notification was issued on May 11, 2017, with periodic updates.  So far, there are reports of at least 30 victims, with the Public Health Agency of Canada reporting five illnesses in Alberta; thirteen ; in British Columbia; five in Newfoundland and Labrador;  four in Saskatchewan; and one each in Ontario and Quebec.

In the U.S., Smuckers is recalling products made by Ardent Mills, including  Golden Temple, Swad,  and Maya flour sold in 20 pound bags.

E. coli O121 is the second most common Shiga toxin-producing E coli (“STEC”), after E. Coli O157 H7, which is by far the most common. And unlike E. Coli O157 H7, it is not easily identified in a stool sample.

For more informant about the Ardent Mills Flour E. Coli Outbreak, call 1-888-335-4901.