If you’re a baker and use flour often, you might want to check what brand you have at home. The Hometown Food Company has just issued a recall on certain Pillsbury Unbleached All Purpose Flour products due to possible salmonella contamination.

There were two recalled products. Here is the info for both:

1. Lot code: 8 292 & “Best if used by” date: April 19, 2020

2. Lot code: 8 293 & “Best of used by” date: April 20, 2020

There were approximately 12,185 cases of the recalled flour distributed through retailers and distributors including Publix and Winn-Dixie.

While Winn-Dixie stated that there were “no reports of illnesses associated with this recall” yet, Publix warned that “these products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.”

Take it from the US Department of Agriculture, which stated quite simply on their Twitter: “Do not eat.” We’re thinking it’s best to play it safe on this one. Salmonella is a serious bacterial infection that can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms, from diarrhea to abdominal cramping and fever.

Flour shouldn’t be eaten in its raw form, anyway, the FDA reminds us in their statement about the recall. People think it’s the eggs in raw cookie dough batter that makes us sick, but actually flour can also be a common source.

“Flour is derived from a grain that comes directly from the field and typically is not treated to kill bacteria,” says Leslie Smoot, Ph.D., a senior advisor in FDA’s Office of Food Safety. The only way to kill off this bacteria is to cook the four, whether it be boiling, baking, frying, etc.

“And don’t make homemade cookie dough ice cream either,” the FDA warns. “If that’s your favorite flavor, buy commercially made products. Manufacturers should use ingredients that include treated flour and pasteurized eggs.”

To hear more about this flour recall, check out the video below.

Do you use flour often? Are you affected by this recall?