Nestle E. coli Attorney Sees Probe Continuing
The Minnesota Department of Health is one of many health agencies across the country that is continuing to investigate the precise cause of the Nestle cookie dough E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 66 people in 29 states.
Six Minnesota residents are in the cluster of confirmed cases and all of them told health investigators that they ate Nestle Toll House cookie dough, uncooked, before they fell ill. The Minnesota group ranges in age from five to 18. Onset of illness was from May 3 to June 11.
All varieties of Nestle cookie and brownie dough have been recalled and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have warned people not to consume the product or bake with it. That’s because health interviews of victims showed a high correlation of eating Nestle cookie dough raw before falling ill with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.
Now investigators will be focused on taking samples from the Nestle cookie dough plant in Danville, Virginia, and from cookie dough packages in the homes of victims to look for E. coli bacteria with the same genetic fingerprint.
Here’s what the Washington Post reported today: “Because the appearance of E. coli O157:H7 in cookie dough is so unusual, investigators are looking at a broad range of possible factors, analyzing the ingredients, the plant’s equipment and interior, the health of workers and whether the facility is located near cattle. Federal officials are also considering whether the dough might have been intentionally contaminated.”
National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys is doing some of its own investigating of the recall and outbreak. Click here for all details of the Nestle Toll House cookie dough recall.
Our Minnesota lawyers are nationally recognized in the area of E. coli litigation. Our lawyers have appeared on CBS News, Fox’s “Geraldo Live,” KARE-TV, KSTP-TV, WCCO-TV and other programs discussing food litigation and food safety.
Pritzker Olsen founder and president Fred Pritzker is telling potential victims that Nestle should be held accountable for full compensation of all victims despite the company’s labeling warning not to eat refrigerated dough uncooked.
Pritzker, a long-time advocate for stronger food safety laws in America, is asking Nestle to immediately pay the medical bills and lost wages suffered by victims of the outbreak. Meanwhile, the firm is compiling information for a possible Nestle cookie dough E. coli lawsuit.
If you or someone you know has contracted E. coli from Nestle cookie dough, talk to an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen by dialing 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free.) To reach one of our attorneys online, complete one of our forms for a free Nestle E. coli case consultation.
Pritzker Olsen has recovered tens of millions for victims of food poisoning over the years and it is currently accepting NestleE. coli cases from all states. The firm is one of the few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness. We are known for taking care of our clients, even those in the most difficult and complex medical circumstances.
E. coli Prompts Nestle Cookie Dough Recall
The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating six cases of E. coli O157:H7 that it believes are part of a multistate outbreak associated with consumption of raw Nestle Toll House cookie dough.
According to a press release from the department, all six individuals became ill between May 3 and June 11. All six reported eating raw cookie dough of the Nestle’s brand.
State officials said the Minnesota cases range in age from 2 to 18 years of age; five (83 percent) are female. One was hospitalized. All have recovered.
The Minnesota news coincides with a Nestle recall of all varieites of Toll House cookie dough and with a warning from federal health authorities for consumers across the country not to eat or cook with the product.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the warning jointly. The agencies said the dough shouldn’t be used, even for baking. That’s because there’s a chance that in handling the product, a person could contract E. coli.
The FDA said in a news release that at least 66 people have been sickened in 28 states by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 since March 2009. Twenty-five victims were hospitalized, with seven of them suffering hemolytic uremic syndrome HUS, a severe complication of E. coli that can result in kidney failure and is the leading cause of E. coli deaths. As of this time, no deaths have been reported nationwide as part of the outbreak, the FDA said.
The recall includes all varieties of 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. For a complete list of packages, click here.
National Food Safety Law Firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys has begun its own investigation and believes more information will be forthcoming about cases in Minnesota and other states. The firm is one of the few in the nation that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation.
Over the years, Pritzker Olsen has collected millions for victims of food poisoning and currently represents E. coliO157:H7 victims, incuding sufferers of HUS. If you have recently been diagnosed withE. coli O157:H7, contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free). If you have recently eaten or cooked with Nestle cookie dough and believe you may have contracted E. coli, see a physician immediately and have the doctor report the findings to the state health department.
E. coli O157:H7 produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness, especially in young children and the elderly. Symptoms include cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, often with bloody stools.
