General Mills announced on September 16, 2019, a voluntary national recall of five-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour with a better if used by date of September 6, 2020. The recall is being issued for the potential presence of E. coli O26, which was discovered during sampling of the five-pound bag product. This recall is being issued out of an abundance of care, as General Mills has not received any direct consumer reports of confirmed illnesses related to this product.

This recall only affects this one date code of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour five-pound bags. All other types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected by this recall.

Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product affected by this recall. Consumers who have had to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103. or visit www.generalmills.com/flour.

Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to warn that consumers should refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.

This voluntary recall includes the following code date currently in stores or consumers’ pantries:

Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour

Package UPC: 016000 196100

Recalled Better if Used by Date: 06SEP2020KC

Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. E. coli O26 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O26 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.

Two beers from Cedar Springs Brewing Company won gold medals at the 2017 Los Angeles International Beer Competition, held the last week in April, in Los Angeles, California.

Küsterer Heller Weissbier was the recipient of the Gold medal in the “South German Style Hefeweizen” category, and Küsterer Weizenbock was the recipient of the Gold medal in the “South German Style Wheat Ale” category.

The beer competition drew entries from as far Croatia, Vietnam, Quebec and British Columbia. Entries were received from 29 US states, including Michigan, California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Wisconsin, New York, Arkansas, Oregon, Idaho, Washington DC and Hawaii.

Entries were up 30 percent from last year, not surprisingly, according to competition organizers, with the craft beer industry booming. Beers submitted into 95 divisions. Many styles and price ranges were represented. Beers were tasted over four days by a 100-member panel comprised of BJCP certified judges, brew masters and beer industry officials.

This year, judges handed out 88 Gold medals, 89 Silver and 81 Bronze, as well as 35 honorable mentions.

But these aren’t the first beers from CS Brewing to win awards. Last year, their Küsterer Original Weissbier was awarded the Bronze Medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in the German-Style Wheat Ale category.

“We are humbled and overjoyed to have won with several of our Bavarian-style wheat beers against outstanding international competition, including the world-famous Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen,” stated owner David Ringler. “We are passionate about this style, along with Bavarian brewing traditions, and we continue to create a brewing destination in Cedar Springs as a small part of Beer City, USA.”

Cedar Springs brewing staff includes: Benevolent Overlord of Brewing, Matt Peterson; Fräulein Brewster, Manda Geiger; Director of Happiness, David Ringler; and Kellertyp, Sam Waite.

A complete list of winners can be found at www.labeercomp.com.

Continental Mills has issued a recall affecting only retail Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix, which involves product manufactured between April 2016 and June 2016.

“The company was notified by our supplier that their product, a blueberry nugget, is made with a small percentage of affected flour which was recalled by General Mills because it may be contaminated with E. coli O121. This is an isolated issue, and only affects specific lots of Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix. Food Safety is our highest priority and this has caused us to take action for the safety of our consumers,” stated the company in a press release.

Most strains of E. coli are harmless, however, others can make you sick. E. coli O121 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. The very young, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli 0121 should contact state and local public health authorities.

No illnesses have been reported to date from the pancake mix.

FDA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to warn that consumers should refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour. E. coli O121 is eliminated by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.

Product was distributed nationwide where consumers purchased product through retail stores.

If you have recently purchased Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix 28 oz. carton with a best by date code between 3/30/2018 and 6/16/2018, and a UPC code 041449001289, please contact our Consumer Relations Team at 1-800-457-7744 for information to receive a full refund. Please dispose of the product.

If you have recently purchased Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake a 3.5 lb. bag, with a best by date code between of 4/27/2018 to 4/28/2018, with a UPC code 041449001487, please contact our Consumer Relations Team at 1-800-457-7744 for information to receive a full refund. Please dispose of the product.

“The quality and safety of our products is of the utmost importance and we are doing everything possible to ensure our customers have all of the pertinent information,” said Andy Heily, Continental Mills’ president.

For more information, please call the Recall Phone Hotline at 1-800-457-7744 Monday – Friday 7 am to 4 pm PT.To see the original recall and updates on the Gold Medal, Wondra and Signature Kitchens flour, go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm504192.htm

Lake Michigan’s Grand Haven State Park on Lake Michigan.

The Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that Michigan state parks and recreation areas have won the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal for the top state park system in the nation. The DNR was notified today by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and NRPA.
Michigan was named one of four finalists in May, and beat North Carolina, Florida and Missouri for the top honor.
“This award is a credit to the people of Michigan,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who recently appointed a blue-ribbon panel to guide the parks system into the future. “For more than 90 years, Michiganders have realized that these unique areas are an integral part of the cultural enhancement, economic enrichment and overall quality of life that we value. Our parks are what we make of them and the people of this state clearly prize these treasures. I commend the DNR for its outstanding stewardship of these resources and look forward to working with all stakeholders so that we have a parks system that serves our state and its visitors for generations to come.”
The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and agency recognition. Each agency is judged on its ability to address the needs of those it serves through the collective energies of citizens, staff, and elected officials.
“We are very proud to receive this award, and I want to recognize the employees of the Parks and Recreation Division who have worked hard to make sure our 99 state parks and recreation areas remain excellent places for our citizens and visitors to experience Michigan’s abundant and amazing natural resources,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “This is the result of teamwork, talent and vision that is aimed at protecting our special places, and also making sure that visitors have an enjoyable, high quality experience.”
In its winning application, the DNR focused on innovation, such as the Recreation Passport, which is the new funding model for state parks and outdoor recreation in Michigan. The $10 optional fee that Michigan residents can pay when renewing their vehicle registration at the Secretary of State gives them annual access to all Michigan state parks and boating access sites and also supports state forest recreation programs. A portion of the funding also supports a grant program for local parks.
“This achievement is indicative of the tremendous staff who works in the Parks and Recreation Division, who strive for excellent customer service every day to provide a positive experience for our customers,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson.
Michigan is home to 99 state parks and recreation areas, offering visitors more than 13,000 campsites, trails, access to inland lakes, rivers and the Great Lakes.
For more information on state parks in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/stateparks.