--- title: Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak sickens 16 in 12 States date: 2021-07-28T14:57:00-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/cake-mix-e-coli-outbreak-sickens-16-in-12-states" section: Litigation Landing Pages --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) / # Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak sickens 16 in 12 States As of September 16, 2021, this outbreak of *E. coli* O121 infections is over. No additional illnesses were reported since the initial notice on July 28, 2021. Epidemiologic data showed that cake mix was the likely source of this outbreak. A common brand of cake mix was not identified as the source of the outbreak. In July 28, 2021, the CDC, public health officials and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to cake mix. Twelve states reported E. coli illnesses: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1). Of those ill, 7 were hospitalized with 1 developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). ![](https://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-2.30.39-PM-300x116.png)Of the 16 people infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O121, interviews indicated that illnesses began on dates ranging from February 26, 2021 to June 21, 2021. Sick people range in age from 2 to 73 years, with a median age of 13, and 100% were female. Of 16 people with information available, 7 were hospitalized. One person developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and no deaths were reported. State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Seventy five percent of the ill were children under the age of 18. Of the eight people interviewed, six (75%) reported tasting or eating raw batter made with a cake mix. People reported buying different varieties and brands of cake mix. FDA is conducted a traceback investigation using purchase records from locations where sick people bought cake mix to try to determine a common cake mix brand or production facility. CDC advised people not to eat raw cake batter, whether made from a mix or homemade. Eating raw cake batter can make you sick. Raw cake batter can contain harmful bacteria*.* Bacteria are killed only when raw batter is baked or cooked. **E. coli:** [Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [E. coli ](https://about-ecoli.com/)outbreaks and [hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)](http://www.about-hus.com/). The [E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark](http://www.marlerclark.com/practice_areas/view/e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-litigation) have represented thousands of victims of [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $800 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) lawyers have litigated [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as [Brianne Kiner](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/jack-in-the-box-e-coli-outbreak-western-states), [Stephanie Smith](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cargill-e-coli-outbreak-minnesota) and [Linda Rivera](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/multi-state-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-to-uncooked-nestle-toll-house-coo). If you or a family member became ill with an [E. coli](http://www.about-ecoli.com/) infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark [E. coli](http://www.about-ecoli.com/) attorneys for a free case evaluation. ### E. coli outbreaks and recalls June 27, 2025 ###### [Citterio Salami outbreak lawsuits (2021)](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/citterio-salmami-outbreak-lawsuits-2021) … August 23, 2023 ###### [Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials … July 12, 2023 ###### [2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The … [1. View all ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) ## All E. coli Resources [###### E. coli Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) [###### E. coli O157:H7 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) [###### Non-O157 STEC ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) [###### Sources of E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) [###### Transmission of and Infection with E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) [###### Symptoms of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/symptoms-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Complications of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/complications-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Treatment for E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/treatment-for-e-coli-infection) [###### How is E. coli Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/how-is-e-coli-infection-diagnosed) [###### Preventing E. coli Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/preventing-e-coli-infection) [###### E. coli Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-outbreaks) [###### Real Life Impacts of E. coli Infection and HUS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/real-life-impacts-of-e-coli-infection-and-hus) [###### E. coli Recalls ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-recalls) [###### References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)