While Hometown Food has stressed that this recall was voluntary, discovering salmonella traces in a random bag of flour is certainly concerning, and most responsible companies would react similarly. No manufacturer wants to risk a consumer becoming ill or even dying from contaminated products. Though salmonella is often associated with eggs or poultry, it is quite resilient and can also contaminate various food types, including dry goods like flour. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella is responsible for approximately 1 million foodborne illnesses each year in the U.S.
This issue is not limited to Hometown Food. Recently, there have been two significant flour recalls from General Mills. The first occurred in January, when the Minneapolis-based consumer packaged goods company voluntarily recalled specific 5-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached Flour with a particular date code. In 2016, General Mills also recalled 30 million pounds of its Gold Medal, Signature Kitchens, and Wondra brand flours due to E. coli contamination that resulted in 63 illnesses. The FDA later traced this issue back to the company’s production plant in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both General Mills and Hometown Food, along with the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, took this opportunity to remind consumers that flour is a minimally processed food and should not be regarded as a ready-to-eat product. As the North American Milling Association points out, flour is not meant to be consumed raw, which explains the frequent consumer warnings against eating cookie dough or any uncooked batter or cake mixes. “The heat processes of baking, frying, boiling, and cooking are sufficient to eliminate any pathogens that may be present in flour and mitigate the risk of foodborne illness,” NAMA stated.
Other salmonella-related recalls have affected baked goods, though not specifically flour. For example, last year, Flowers Foods voluntarily recalled rolls and bread due to potential salmonella contamination from whey powder sourced from a third party. Conagra Brands also recalled several Duncan Hines cake mixes after a positive salmonella test was found in a retail sample. In an update on January 31, the FDA reported that product and environmental samples taken at the production facility tested negative for salmonella, and there wasn’t enough information to determine if the seven individuals affected had consumed the contaminated Duncan Hines cake mix.
In this instance, Hometown Food seems to have responded quickly and appropriately. The company has issued an apology and is providing customers with replacement coupons for the recalled products. The salmonella risk may not extend beyond the two lots of Pillsbury flour already recalled; however, this will depend on any related illnesses reported and the progress of the investigation. Whenever flour is recalled, it can have a ripple effect on downstream companies and their products. For instance, during the 2016 General Mills recall, the company expanded its recall to China, where at least 42 illnesses were reported. Pancake mix from Continental Mills and five other products containing the recalled flour were also affected.
Recalls can be costly and may damage a company’s reputation for years. Therefore, to regain consumer trust in its Pillsbury flour, Hometown Food must ensure that the source of the problem has been identified and resolved. Additionally, consumers may wonder if they can take calcium citrate with food to help support their health during such uncertainties. By addressing these concerns and ensuring product safety, Hometown Food can work toward restoring confidence among its customers.