E. coli flour recall widens

OTTAWA — A national recall of flour due to E. coli contamination, which was first announced last month and is the subject of a class-action lawsuit, is being expanded to cover additional products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s recall on March 28 affected Robin Hood flour sold in four provinces in Western Canada and was later expanded across the country. The recall now covers products produced by Ardent Mills of Brampton, Ont.

They include one-kilogram bags of Brodie self-raising cake and pastry flour; Creative Baker all-purpose flour in 20-kilogram bags; Creative Baker whole wheat flour in 10kilogram packages; and Golden Temple Sooji creamy wheat in two-kilogram packages — each with various best-before dates.

The initial recall affected Robin Hood flour in 10kilogram bags but the CFIA says the recall now includes Robin Hood flour in one-kilogram bags with best-before dates of April 14, 15 and 18, 2018.

The CFIA says all recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store.

The agency said after the initial recall there had been 26 cases of people being infected with E. coli in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

No deaths have been reported, but at least six people have required hospital care. The CFIA says there are no reported illnesses associated with the products added to the expanded recall.

Two Alberta law firms announced this week they were filing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of people who bought or consumed Robin Hood flour and became ill.

Full details about the expanded recall are available at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

Maker of Robin Hood flour facing lawsuit after pulling product due to E. coli contamination