National flour recall widened over further E. coli fears

The Canadian Food Inspection Agencyhas broadened a national flour recall over further fears of E. coli contamination.

The initial recall issued on March 28applied only to Robin Hood flour sold infour provinces in Western Canada. The inspection agency extended the recall countrywide a week later.

• Robin Hood flour recall expanded nationwide due to E. coli contamination

On Wednesday, CFIAwidened the recall to include products sold under theBrodie, Creative Baker and Golden Temple brands, as well as Robin Hood.

"Ardent Mills is recalling various brands of flour and flour products due to possibleE.coliO121 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products," reads the recall notice on the CFIA website.

The recalled products include:

• Brodieself-raising cake and pastry flour, 1 kg.Production code 6 291 548 with best-before date of Jan. 17, 2018.UPC0 59000 01484 5.
• Creative Bakerall-purpose flour, 20 kg.Production code6 291 SK with best-before date of Oct. 17, 2017.UPC6 28622 10142 6.
• Creative Bakerwhole wheat flour, 10 kg.Production code6 292 SK with best-before date of April 18, 2017.UPC6 28622 10131 0.
• Golden TempleSoojicreamy wheat, 2 kg.Production code6 292 548 with best-before date of Jan. 18, 2018.UPC0 59000 01552 1.
• Robin Hoodall-purpose flour, 1 kg.Production code6 288 548 with best-before date of April 14, 2018.UPC0 59000 01632 0.
• Robin Hoodall-purpose flour, 1 kg.Production code6 289 548 with best-before date of April 15, 2018.UPC0 59000 01632 0.
• Robin Hoodall-purpose flour, 1 kg.Production code6 290 548 with best-before date of April 16, 2018.UPC0 59000 01632 0.
• Robin Hood all-purpose flour, 1 kg,Production code6 291 548 with best-before date of April 17, 2018.UPC0 59000 01632 0.
• Robin Hood all-purpose flour, 10 kg.Production code6 288 548 with best-before date of April 14, 2018.UPC0 59000 01652 8.
• Robin Hood all-purpose flour, 10 kg.Production code6 289 548 with best-before date of April 15, 2018.UPC0 59000 01652 8.
• Robin Hood all-purpose flour, 10 kg. Production code6 292 548 with best-before date of April 18, 2018.UPC0 59000 01652 8.

According to CFIA, the recall was triggered during its investigation into a food-borne illness outbreak. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store.

At least26 people across Canada have been infected with the dangerous bacteria. Two Alberta law firms announced this week they were filing a class-action lawsuiton behalf of people who bought or consumed Robin Hood flour and became ill.

The CFIA is advising Canadians not to eat or use any recalled flour or flour products included in the updated food recall warning. Itis unsafe to taste or eat raw dough or batter regardless of the type of flour used, it warned,as raw flour can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal crampsand watery to bloody diarrhea.

For more information on the recall, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.