Warning Against Eating Raw Cookie Dough
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 20, 2009, 0 Comments
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is warning consumers to avoid eating any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough as state and federal health officials fully investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. Today, Nestle USA’s Baking Division voluntarily recalled all Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products including Nestle Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub, Cookie Dough Tube, Limited Edition Cookie Dough items, Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough.
The City of Laredo Health Department has enhanced surveillance and is conducting a citywide inspection of all local commercial food establishments and at this time all products have been removed from stock. We are however advising consumers to throw away or return any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products. Cooking the dough is not recommended either because people can get the E. coli bacteria on their hands or cooking surfaces.
E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterial illness that causes bloody diarrhea and can lead to serious kidney damage and death. Most healthy adults recover in five (5) to ten (10) days, but children under age 5 and the elderly are more likely to develop a severe illness. People, especially children in diapers, can pass E. coli O157:H7 to others if contaminated feces get in the mouth. Therefore we want to remind the public to take extra precautions with hygiene and hand washing before and after going to the bathroom, before cooking and before and after changing diapers. Please dispose of all trash and soiled products appropriately. If you think you or someone in your family has an E. coli O157:H7 infection, call your doctor, clinic or the health department immediately.
