July 1, 2009- According to the CDC, the FDA, public health officials nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Services and the CDC are working together to investigate the outbreak of the E. Coli O157:H7 strain linked to cookie dough.
As of today, 70 people in 30 states have reported cases of infection from the E. Coli O157:H7 strain. The following states and number of cases per states are as follows: Arizona (2), California (3), Colorado (5), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Iowa (2), Illinois (5), Kentucky (3), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (2), Main (3), Minnesota ( 6), Missouri (2), Montana (1), North Carolina (2), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey ( 1), Nevada (2), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (1), Texas (3), Utah (2), Virginia (2), Washington (5) and Wisconsin (1). The range of ages stretches from 2 to 65 years old. 66% are younger than 19 and approximately 75% of the reported cases are female. So far, no deaths have been reported.
The FDA and CDC are warning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle® Toll House® refrigerated cookie dough. If consumers have any prepackages cookie dough it should be thrown out immediately, specifically Nestle® Toll House® brand.
If you feel any symptoms contact your doctor or health care provider immediately. When handling raw foods always wash hands, utensils and surfaces immediately after contact and follow the proper cooking instructions.
