The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC reported an outbreak of Salmonella bacteria linked to flour in 11 states across the country that has so far caused 12 illnesses and 3 hospitalizations.
The agency said investigators are already working to identify a specific brand of flour linked to the outbreak. However, any raw flour — unbaked — can carry germs, such as Salmonella.
In that sense, they called for not eating or playing with raw flour, dough or batter, including raw cookie dough, buns, bread or cake.
It is noteworthy that most people reported eating raw dough or batter made with flour before becoming ill.
Therefore, flour was the only common ingredient in the raw dough or batter that people reported eating.
While flour may not look like raw food, most of it is. This means it has not been treated to kill the germs that cause food poisoning.
Any raw flour used to make dough or batter can be contaminated with germs such as Salmonella, which are killed when the flour is cooked or baked.
What you should do
Do not eat raw dough or batter; even a small amount can make you or your children sick; bake or cook foods made with raw flour, such as cookie dough or cake batter, before eating them; follow the recipe or package directions for cooking or baking; use the temperature and cooking time indicated in the recipe or directions.
Also, purchase heat-treated flour to use in homemade playdough recipes; wash bowls, utensils, and surfaces that touched raw flour with warm, soapy water; wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after using raw flour; keep raw flour, dough, and batter separate from foods that will not be cooked.
Remember to seek immediate medical attention if you or your child develop diarrhea and a fever over 102°F, diarrhea for more than 3 days that does not improve, bloody diarrhea, vomiting so much that you cannot keep liquids down, and signs of dehydration such as not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.
Salmonella Symptoms
Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment in 4 to 7 days. Some people, especially children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
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