Bags of 5 pounds of gold flour recalled throughout the country following concerns about E. coli | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio

General Mills has announced the national recall of five-pound bags of unbleached Gold Medal flour because it could contain E. coli bacteria.

The company said the recalled bags had a "best use if" on September 6, 2020. Only five-pound bags are concerned. All other types of Gold Medal flour are not affected.

The company said the recall was issued after the discovery of E. Coli O26 when sampling bags of five pounds.

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General Mills said it did not receive direct consumer reports of confirmed illnesses.

In January, the company launched a national flour-like recall due to possible Salmonella contamination in five-pound bags.

Consumers are asked to check their pantry and to discard the recalled flour. You can contact General Mills at 1-800-230-8103 or visit www.generalmills.com/flour.

The company also reminds consumers that flour is not a "ready to eat" product and that any product made from this flour must be cooked or cooked beforehand and must not be consumed raw.

General Mills said that although most strains of E. Coli are harmless, others, such as O. coli O26, can be life-threatening and cause diarrhea and dehydration.