4 E. coli cases in Illinois linked to flour recall

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois health officials say three cases of E. coli have been reported in the Chicago area and one in western Illinois linked to a nationwide recall of General Mills flour.

Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold tells the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/285WVBr ) that the illnesses occurred in Chicago, suburban Cook County and McHenry County. Arnold says the western Illinois case was reported in Brown County.

Ten million pounds of General Mills flour were recalled Tuesday. The company said 38 people were sickened from mid-December through May 3.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of the people used flour before getting sick, some of it a General Mills brand. General Mills said some also may have eaten raw dough or batter.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com