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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Feds Confirm E. Coli in Cookie Dough

FDA still has no idea how bacteria made its way into Nestle dough

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(Newser) – The FDA has confirmed the presence of E. coli in cookie dough from Nestle's Virginia plant, reports the Washington Post. The plant's refrigerated cookie dough was the prime suspect in an outbreak of E. coli-related illness that sickened 69 people in 29 states. But investigators remain confounded as to how the bacteria, commonly found in cow intestines, ended up in cookie dough.

Investigators say the bacteria was found in a batch of the raw dough rather than on equipment, making it likely the contamination came from one of the ingredients—none of which are currently known to host E. coli. The finding "means that industry has to be constantly vigilant, because foods we think of as low risk could be contaminated with a deadly pathogen," said an FDA commissioner.

Nestle has voluntarily recalled all of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products.
Nestle has voluntarily recalled all of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products.   (PRNewsFoto/Nestle)
Nestle has recalled thousands of cases of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough after an E. coli outbreak sickened 69 people.
Nestle has recalled thousands of cases of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough after an E. coli outbreak sickened 69 people.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
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SPH
Jun 30, 09 10:20 AM CDT
I suspect all this could be avoided if you simply bake the dough..... Reply
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