Ardent Mills Reminds Home Bakers to Be Safe When Using Flour

November 25, 2019 – Denver, CO – Ardent Mills, the premier flour-milling and ingredient company, is a strong advocate for food safety. From farmers to millers to home bakers, it is important to understand the science behind food safety and why it matters. As we enter the full swing of the holiday baking season, here are a few things for home bakers to apply.

1. Flour is a raw ingredient and should always be cooked, baked or fried before being consumed. Consider flour in a similar way to other raw food ingredients or food products that require full-cooking or proper washing.
2. Different baked items require different at-center temperatures. The higher the moisture content, the lower the temperature required (cheesecake would be an example). As the moisture level goes down, the temperature must be higher to render any bacteria in the raw ingredient harmless. Follow directions closely or look up what temperature is necessary for safe consumption.
3. Food thermometers are affordable, offer near-instant results, and a great tool to have in the kitchen.
4. Raw flour should never be consumed. Bake those cookies and don’t lick the beaters!
5. There are excellent resources at your fingertips such as the Home Baking Association’s site (including recipes and more): https://www.homebaking.org/. The North American Milling Association has also created a suite of materials perfect for educating others about Flour Food Safety.

“Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so keeping everyone healthy is a priority,” said Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills. “We take food safety education seriously and hope to spread messages far and wide that safe handling is important.”   

About Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills is the premier flour-milling and ingredient company whose vision is to be the trusted partner in nurturing its customers, consumers and communities through innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. Ardent Mills' operations and services are supported by more than 35 flour mills and bakery-mix facilities along with a specialty bakery and Mobile Innovation Center, all located in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Deeply rooted in communities throughout North America, Ardent Mills is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and employs more than 100 certified millers, supporting thousands of local jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies. To learn more about Ardent Mills, visit ardentmills.com.