The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat several Nestle Toll House prepackaged cookie-dough products due to a risk of contamination from E.coli bacteria. FDA officials say that consumers who still have the products should throw them away.

Even though the bacteria are likely to die during cooking, handling the dough could lead to contamination of hand and work surfaces. Nestle has issued a voluntary recall of potentially contaminated products.

The FDA and Nestle action stems from data collected by the Center's for Disaese Control (CDC)  and several state and local health departments showing that over the past three to four months there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states. Twenty-five people have been hospitalized; 7 with a severe complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

E. coli can cause severe abdominal cramping, vomiting and a diarrhea. Most adults recover easily from associated illnesses but babies, children and the elderly are at the highest risk for developing HUS, which can lead to kidney damage and death.According to the FDA, "individuals who have recently eaten prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities."  
 

According to Nestle, the products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestle Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. Information about specific products and lots involved can be found on the Nestle website.

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