Personal Injury Q and A

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the presence of a deadly strain of E. coli bacteria in samples of Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, which has caused food poisoning, sickening 69 consumers in 29 states including California. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the E. coli-contaminated cookie dough originated in Nestlé's Danville, Virginia plant. Nestlé recalled 30,000 cases of its hugely popular cookie dough products last month. FDA officials said the bacteria were not found inside the plant or on the equipment, but only in a tub of chocolate cookie dough made at the plant in February. The dough had a June 10, 2009 expiration date.

The FDA initially warned consumers on June 19, 2009 not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough because of the risk of E. coli food poisoning. So far, 34 people have been hospitalized as a result of this E. coli outbreak. Nine food poisoning victims have developed a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a serious condition that can cause life-threatening kidney failure. Most of these cases apparently develop after several days of diarrhea – often bloody – due to infection with a specific strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Both children and adults may develop HUS after E. coli infections.

E. coli infections typically cause serious personal injury. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea with bloody stools. Young children and the elderly are at the highest risk for becoming infected with E. coli and developing HUS, which can lead to serious kidney damage or even death. So far, no deaths have been reported as a result of these E. coli contaminated Nestlé cookie dough products.

If you have one of these recalled products, please throw them away. If you believe you have contracted E. coli infection as a result of consuming this contaminated cookie dough, please preserve any left over product and package so it can be examined for the bacteria. Do not cook the dough because you might get the bacteria on your hands or on other cooking surfaces. If you have recently eaten the cookie dough and have symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps, please contact your doctor right away. If you would like to find out more information about how to pursue your legal rights please contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer who can provide you with information and will also better explain the options that are available to you in your food borne illness case.