The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced June 29 that it has found E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough currently under recall by the manufacturer and marketer, Nestlé USA.
The contaminated sample was collected at Nestlé’s facility in Danville, Va. on June 25, 2009. E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that can cause serious food borne illness.
On June 19, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7.
The warning was based on an epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and several state and local health departments. As of Thursday, June 25, the CDC reports that 69 persons from 29 states have been infected with the outbreak strain. No cases were reported in Florida.
Thirty-four persons have been hospitalized, nine with a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. No one has died.
Further laboratory testing is needed to conclusively link the E. coli strain found in the product to the same strain that is causing the outbreak.
Nestlé USA has fully cooperated with the FDA and CDC investigation and has recalled all of its prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products.
Consumers who have additional questions about these products should contact Nestlé USA consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 or visit www.verybestbaking.com.
