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Evidence Implicating Raw Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough as the Source of an E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak

By PritzkerLaw

Federal investigators continue their investigation of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with consumption of raw Nestle Toll House cookie dough that has sickened at least 69 people in 29 states. The evidence implicating the cookie dough consists of both epidemiological and microbiological evidence.

According to the CDC:

In an epidemiologic study, ill persons answered questions about foods consumed during the days before becoming ill and investigators compared their responses to those of persons of similar age and gender previously reported to State Health Departments with other illnesses. Preliminary results of this investigation indicate a strong association with eating raw prepackaged cookie dough. Most patients reported eating refrigerated prepackaged Nestle Toll House cookie dough products raw.

In addition to this epidemiological evidence, FDA has uncovered microbiological evidence at the Nestle plant in Danville, Virginia. At least one unopened package of refrigerated Neslte Toll House cookie dough that was at the plant tested positeve for E. coli O157:H7, according to Nestle USA:

FDA has found and confirmed evidence of E. coli 0157:H7 in a retained production sample of 16.5 oz. Nestlé Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough bar. The product has a day code of 9041 and a "Best before 10 JUN 2009" notation.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7 after consuming Nestle Toll House cookie dough, contact our law firm regarding the evidence that can be used in a Nestle lawsuit. If you were sickened but did not have a stool sample tested, you may still have a case against Nestle if you have leftover cookie dough and it tests positive for the outbreak-strain of E. coli O157:H7. Contact our law firm for information regarding testing leftover cookie dough.

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on June 30, 2009 (boomark / email).