FDA raises flour and baking mix recall to its most serious warning level

More than 4,000 bags of flour and baking mixes sold across the United States have been given the FDA’s highest health risk classification.

The warning was issued after testing found a potentially harmful ingredient in products sold as gluten-free.

The Food and Drug Administration upgraded the recall to Class I, saying consumers could face serious health consequences or even death if they eat the affected items.

The recall covers 4,664 bags of flour, bread and pizza mixes made by Washington-based GF Blends Inc.

The products were distributed nationwide through Amazon and the websites eatgangster.com and trulyaip.com.

The FDA’s most severe recall category means there is a reasonable probability that exposure to the products could lead to serious adverse health effects or death.

The alert followed the discovery of undeclared wheat gluten in products aimed at people following gluten-free diets.

According to The Healthy, the baking mixes were made with plantain flour supplied by a manufacturer that had labeled and certified the ingredient as gluten-free.

Independent testing later showed the plantain flour contained gluten at levels that significantly exceeded the FDA limit.

Under federal rules, gluten-free products must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.

Testing reportedly found that both the plantain flour and the finished mixes were above that threshold.

The issue led GF Blends to begin a voluntary recall before publicly announcing the problem.

The FDA has since escalated the matter to its highest risk level, and the recall remains active.

Three products are included in the nationwide recall, and consumers are being urged to check their cupboards for affected bags.

The largest share involves Gluten Free EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R Pizza Crust and Flat Bread Mix, with 2,163 bags weighing 5.8 ounces and 20 larger 3.98-pound bags recalled.

Affected lots include 260327 and 260803, with best-by dates of July 27, 2027, September 27, 2027, and February 3, 2028.

Another 1,495 bags of Gluten Free Truly AIP All Purpose Baking Mix Flour, weighing 15.3 ounces, are also part of the recall.

Those bags carry lot numbers 260225 and 260610, with best-by dates of February 25, 2028, and June 10, 2028.

The recall also includes 986 bags of Gluten Free Truly AIP Rustic Bread Mix, weighing 14 ounces.

The affected lot numbers are 260417 and 260617, with best-by dates of April 17, 2028, and December 17, 2027.

The contamination could be especially dangerous for people with celiac disease or wheat allergies.

According to Stanford Medicine, gluten exposure can trigger an immune response in people with celiac disease that damages the small intestine.

Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss.

For people with wheat allergies, exposure can lead to reactions ranging from hives and eczema to potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

The Healthy reported that GF Blends said it notified customers immediately after confirming the contamination and identified all affected batches.

Anyone who bought the recalled products has been told not to eat them.

Customers should throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The FDA says the recall is ongoing.