USA – ADM Milling Co. has issued a recall of five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packaged for Aldi retail stores in the Northeastern United States due to potential contamination with E. Coli.

The flour was produced by ADM’s production facility in Buffalo, N.Y. and was distributed to select ALDI stores in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

The affected 5 lb. bags have a best if used by date of Dec. 2, 2019, lot code L18A02B and the following UPC code: 041498130404.

Aldi has taken a precautionary measure to remove flour from its shelves in these states and customers with affected products were advised to discard them immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.

“ALDI takes the safety and integrity of the products it sells seriously,” said Aldi in a statement.

“If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.”

Aldi reminded customers not to consume any raw products made with flour, noting that the ingredient comes from wheat, which is grown outdoors and therefore carries a risk of bacteria.

Consumers should wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough products or flour, and to never eat raw dough or batter.

Escherichia coli is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.

Common signs and symptoms from E. Coli related diseases include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, vomiting, and sometimes fever.

Said to cause several illnesses, E. Coli has occasionally been linked to several product recalls due to food contamination.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of more than 60,000 pounds of raw beef products ahead of the Memorial Day celebrations over possible contamination with E. Coli.

The beef products were packed by Aurora Packing Company, stamped with establishment number “EST. 788” on the USDA mark of inspection.