USA – Bob Red Mill, producer of whole grain and gluten-free foods in the US has voluntarily recalled 2,099 cases of Organic Amaranth Flour, after one of the flour lots tested positive on the presence of Salmonella.

In an article by World Grain, the single lot of flour also had a sell-by date of Nov. 26, 2015, sold in 22-oz bags sold from June 11, 2014 in the United States.

In a statement, Bob’s Red Mill said other “sell by” dates and lots of Organic Amaranth Flour is not affected by the recall, and there have been no reports of any injuries or illnesses associated with the recall.

It is embarking on investigation on the source of the problem across all of its supply chain.

“While this product expired in November 2015, this product was found on the shelves of a retail store, and thus Bob’s Red Mill is recalling the product out of an abundance of caution,” the company noted in the announcement.

“Consumers who have any of these affected products should not consume it and should return it to the place of purchase for credit or refund or throw it away.”

While the company discovered that some of the flour was still on sale at the retail level, it said he recall notice did not indicate if that discovery was related to the recent pathogen testing.

The company’s recall notice advised consumers who had the affected product not to consume it but return it to the place of purchase for credit or refund or throw it away.

This is the second flour recall in 2018, after King Arthur Flour Company voluntarily recalled organic coconut flour after testing revealed presence of Salmonella.

Concerns over Salmonella, E. coli and other microbial contamination in flour remains especially after outbreaks in US and Canada calling for preventive microbial control and testing by new rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Salmonella bacteria causes salmonellosis caused by contaminated food or water common among children or people with compromised immune system such as the aged, babies and people living with AIDS.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, chills and abdominal pain.