The safety of our food products, employees, customers and consumers is a core value of Ardent Mills. We constantly strive to provide safe, healthy, affordable food and ingredients for customers and consumers across North America.
From the receipt of grain to flour production, labeling and shipping, our food safety and engineering experts ensure that every aspect of our operations meets the highest standards. In addition to following good manufacturing practices (GMP), we enact a variety of operational programs, train our team members, monitor our processes and strive to maintain pristine manufacturing facilities 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
The Nature of Flour
Flour-related food safety risks are real. Wheat and other grains grow outdoors and are exposed to nature. Flour, while a mainstay in most pantries, is not a ready-to-eat ingredient. The consumption of raw flour can put a person’s health at risk. Flour must be thoroughly cooked or baked prior to consumption — this includes raw dough or batter. The good news is that the bacteria found in raw flour are eliminated by normal cooking, baking, frying or boiling food items made with flour.
Proper cleaning of all food preparation surfaces, utensils and hands before and after working with flour, dough or batter is an essential part of food safety. These same precautions should be used when handling other raw food ingredients.
We know that flour is often an important nutritive ingredient any day of the week as well as a major part of holiday and special occasion recipes. So, the next time people are discussing their favourite homemade cookie, cake or other recipes with flour, take the opportunity to remind others of these simple but important safety tips.
RESOURCES
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)*
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
*Search for “Flour”