Fears Over Potentially Contaminated Flour Expands Massive Recall

Late last month, a major food manufacturer expanded its recall of flour products to include additional production dates after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced four more people from two different states have become ill from E. coli. CDC reports that epidemiologic, laboratory and backtrack evidence indicates that flour produced at a facility in Kansas City, Missouri is a likely source of this outbreak. The agency recommends that consumers, restaurants and retailers do not use, serve or sell the recalled flour.

So far, at least 46 cases in 21 states have been reported. A number of the sick people have required hospitalization. One of the infected people also developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.

E. coli are a large group of bacteria found in the environment and the intestines of people and animals. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless and some are an important part of a healthy intestinal tract, others can cause severe illnesses. Some can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia as well as other conditions.

The pathogenic strains of E. coli, meaning they can cause illness, are categorized into pathotypes. Six pathotypes are associated with diarrhea and collectively are referred to as diarrheagenic E. coli. They include the following:

• Shiga toxin-producing coli (STEC) – STEC may also be referred to as Verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)
• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
• Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
• Diffusely adherent coli (DAEC)
  

“E. coli may be transmitted through contaminated water and food or through contact with infected feces from animals, people or contaminated surfaces,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To prevent the public from being exposed to microbial pathogens and to help food manufacturers, retailers and food distributors from encountering product recalls, EMSL offers comprehensive food testing services. These services can help to identify potential problems before products ever reach the public or to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.”  

To learn more about testing for E. coli or other food testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail