This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Nestle recalls cookie dough
Consumers should avoid any variations of prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough due to risk of Escherichia coli contamination.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Nestle Toll House cookie dough contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 has made 66 people in 28 states sick since March.
FDA officials advised those who have recently consumed prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and experienced abdominal cramping, vomiting or diarrheal illness to contact their doctor or health care provider immediately.
Twenty-five of the 66 reported cases have been hospitalized, with seven patients experiencing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can cause serious kidney damage and death. The FDA requests that any such illness be reported to state and local health authorities.
Consumers, retailers and food-service personnel are advised to throw away any unused product as cooking the dough may facilitate spread of the bacteria through hand and surface contamination. In light of the outbreak, the FDA reminded the public of the following safe food-handling practices:
- Following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures.
- Washing hands, surfaces and utensils after contact with these types of products
- Avoiding cross contamination.
- Refrigerating products properly.
Additional information about the voluntary recall of Nestle cookie dough products is available here.