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Cow E. Coli in Cookie Dough Stumps Feds
How could E. coli have invaded the supply?
By Jess Kilby
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Posted Jun 21, 09 10:34 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Feds are scouring Nestle's Virginia plant for clues as to how E. coli 0157, which is found in cow intestines, ended up in cookie dough products the company recalled last week, the Washington Post reports. “It's a fascinating outbreak," said one of the bacterial mystery. "By just looking at package labeling, there is no reason you would expect an event like this to occur."
The presence of E. coli in the dough hasn’t been confirmed, but more than 60 people across the US have gotten sick, and Oregon’s chief epidemiologist says he’s “100%” sure the cookie dough is to blame. The outbreak is worrisome because kids, who face a higher risk, often eat the stuff. Investigators are looking at dough ingredients, conditions at the plant, workers’ health, and whether cattle are nearby.