ALDI Bakers Corner Flour Ecoli O26 Outbreak

Imagine my dismay when learning that Aldi Baker’s Corner Flour has been linked to an Ecoli O26 outbreak. A product that is a staple in our home and is so reasonably priced that we often stock up for our cooking and baking adventures. Naturally, I went deep into some research. And here’s what you need to know about the Bakers Corner Flour Ecoli O26 Outbreak.

What We Know

The case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (5), Pennsylvania (2), and Rhode Island (1). Illness onset dates range from December 11, 2018 to April 17, 2018. The patient age range is from 7 to 86 years. Of 17 people who have been interviewed by public health officials, 3 have been hospitalized. There is no information about whether or not any of the patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure.

Whole genome sequencing was performed on isolates taken from people sickened in this outbreak. Those tests showed that the bacteria isolated from ill persons was closely related genetically. That means people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection.

Epideimiologic and traceback evidence indicates that flour is the likely source of this outbreak. Of seven people who were interviewed, four said they ate, licked, or tasted raw homemade dough or batter before they got sick. Two people who have more detailed information reported eating raw dough or batter made with flour or baking mixes from ALDI.

Investigators with the Rhode Island Department of Health collected records and flour samples at a bakery where one of the patients sickened in this outbreak said they ate raw dough. Records showed that the bakery in question used Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour from ALDI. The outbreak strain of E. coli O26 was isolated from an unopened bag of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour collected at that bakery.

The flour was sold at the retail level in these states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. Other brands or lots of flour may be recalled as the government continues their investigation.

Flour can cause illnesses just like any raw agricultural product. It doesn’t happen just because there currently is a ALDI Bakers Corner Flour Ecoli O26 Outbreak. It’s important that cooks treat raw flour as carefully as raw eggs. Never eat raw dough or batter. Don’t make play dough for your kids using raw flour. Clean your kitchen thoroughly, including the countertops, drawer handles, and floor, after you have worked with flour. And always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have handled uncooked flour and raw doughs and batters.

The symptoms of an E. coli infection include a mild fever, serious and painful abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that is usually watery or bloody. In some cases, especially when the patient is under the age of 5, hemolytic uremic syndrome can develop. Symptoms of that illness include lethargy, pale skin, little urine output, and easy bruising. Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms needs to see a doctor. You may be part of this ALDI Baker’s Corner flour E. coli O26 outbreak.

How I Feel

As a parent, I try really hard to make sure that our kids are safe from these outbreaks and that we practice the best kitchen safety that we possibly can, especially now that our oldest likes to help cook so much. Teaching our boys kitchen safety has started from such a young age that I think our oldest just does it because it is part of life which I love. He really takes his time and is quite patient in the kitchen.

When we hear of these outbreaks it is hard to not feel fear. I know that living in fear of things is not a great way to be, but something as simple as a bag of flour could potentially land us in the hospital. Being aware that we have to treat flour as carefully as a raw egg as mentioned above adds another dimension to cooking and while the warnings and kitchen safety are heavy on our minds it is always quite scary to think that it would take only a little slip up to put us in danger.

When I learned of this outbreak please note we do not live in the affected states but we do live in 1 that borders and we just left from traveling into said state. I have to admit that I have trashed our Baker’s Corner flour. It is not worth the risk for me and some may say that I am being overly paranoid or reading too much in to the outbreak, but at this time the health and well being of my entire family including those who come to visit us for meals is really important. I felt like by trashing the flour which was priced very low anyway would put my mind at ease and would also not break the bank for just tossing it and replacing it with something else. I would much rather lose out on a dollar or two than have potentially thousands of dollars in medical bills.

These outbreaks also prove to be a time to brush up on kitchen safety and to give small learning lessons to our boys as reminders. I find that I can easily brush up on my kitchen skills as well and use this time to reflect on how we can do things differently and safer.

Conclusion

If you feel that you have any symptoms after using ALDI Baker’s Choice Flour, please seek medical care and as always keep an eye on our news for the very latest information on food recalls and outbreaks, like the ALDI Bakers Corner Flour Ecoli O26 Outbreak.

The Lange Law Firm 

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Ecoli food poisoning outbreaks or Legionnaires disease outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm, PLLC is the only law firm in the nation solely focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits and Legionnaires disease lawsuits.

If you were infected with Ecoli after exposure to Aldi/ ADM Milling Co. Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we have an Ecoli lawyer ready to help you.  Call us for a free no obligation legal consultation at (833) 330-3663 or send us an e-mail here.