Cow E. Coli in Cookie Dough Stumps Feds

How could E. coli have invaded the supply?
By Jess Kilby,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 21, 2009 10:34 AM CDT
Cow E. Coli in Cookie Dough Stumps Feds
A package of Nestle Toll House Fudgy Brownies refrigerated cookie dough is seen in Springfield, Ill., Friday June 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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.
(More Nestle stories.)

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