Probe of E. coli in Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
State and federal health investigators have obtained growing evidence of a possible E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with chocolate chip cookie dough, but no recalls of any brand, including Nestle Toll House, have been announced at this time.
But late today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment warned consumers not to eat Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough because of possible E. coli contamination. Colorado officials said 66 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in 28 states have been matched through molecular subtyping. The cases have been associated with Toll House Cookie Dough through epidemiological study, not direct evidence.
National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorney is accepting clients in this outbreak from all states, including Colorado and Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health is believed to be part of the multi-state investigation and more information will be forthcoming. In Colorado, there have been five confirmed illnesses, including two people hospitalized and one with severe complications.
E. coli 0157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can lead to severe complications, including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which often involves renal failure. Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include diarrhea (often bloody), severe stomach cramps and nausea.
Pritzker Olsen is a premier food safety law firm involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness. The firm has collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food safety. Currently the firm’s clients include the families of three women who died from Salmonella infection from contaminated peanut butter products.
If you believe you or a loved one has contracted E. coli O157:H7 from eating Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough, E. coli lawyers at the firm are ready to assist you. There is no charge for consulting with our firm. If we agree to represent you, we are paid a percentage of money we collect for you. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or complete one of our online forms for a free consultation.
Tennessee Searching for Source of 2 E. coli Cases
Health officials in Fayetteville, Tenn., are searching for the source of two confirmed E. coli O157:H7 cases in the surrounding Lincoln County area. 
Shelley Walker, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville, told the Elk Valley Times newspaper that more than 180 people have been interviewed as part of an ongoing, “intensive investiation” into the situation.
Walker did not provide information about the two people sickened by the virulent strain of E. coli. Infected persons can develop a complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is potentially fatal for children, the elderly and others who have weakened immune systems.
Our law firm is currently representing E. coli victims who developed HUS. To contact our law firm, please call 1-888-377-8900 or submit our online consultation form.
Far-Flung E. coli Cases Share Same Fingerprint
Health officials in Canada and the United States have discovered that five cases of E. coli O157:H7 in southern California, South Dakota and New Jersey carry the same genetic fingerprint as 21 confirmed E. coli cases in southeastern Ontario.>
The Canadian cases are located in a close-knit geographical area around the towns of Halton, Niagara and Waterloo. Dr. Bob Nosal, medical officer of health for Halton, told The Hamilton Spectator newspaper on Monday that five U.S. cases have been identified as having the same genetic code.
“In Ontario, the cases are quite close geographically,” Nosal said. “So when you get something that rare showing up in the U.S., you really wonder — is it possibly linked?”
Among the agencies studing the connection are the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
In the Ontario outbreak, officials are still to determine the cause. More than 90 additional cases of illness are under investigation as part of the probe. Earlier this week, Dr. Robin Williams, Niagara’s chief medical officer of health, said tainted lettuce could be the source.
In Halton, four confirmed cases of the potentially deadly pathogen, are believed to be linked to the same family restaurant in Burlington, officials have said. The restaurant was shut down, but reopened this week after complying with health department orders.
E. coli in Topps Hamburgers Linked to Ranchers Beef of Canada
USDA-FSIS has reported that the source of the Topps hamburger E. coli outbreak (at least 40 people sickened) is Ranchers Beef, Ltd., a Canadian company. According to a USDA-FSIS press release:
On October 25, the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630. This firm provided trim to the Topps Meat Company. While the firm, which had been located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations on August 15, 2007, some product remained in storage and was collected and tested by CFIA as part of the joint investigation of the Topps recall and as part of CFIA’s own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli O157:H7.
. . . PulseNet provided verification to FSIS that this PFGE pattern matched those from patients who were ill and from positive tests conducted by the New York Department of Health on product (both intact packages and open packages from patients’ homes) that was later recalled by the Topps Meat Company on September 29. PulseNet is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) searchable database of all PFGE patterns from patients and food products in the United States.
[E. coli lawyer: Please note that the positive tests on the products (Topps hamburgers) were found in patients' homes. Potentially-contaminated food products should not be thrown out or returned until it is clear that no one has been sickened by the product. In the case of a food product that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the food would have to be retained for at least 10 days after last consumed. For safety reasons, it is critical that any potentially-contaminated food product be labeled "DO NOT EAT" and be stored in a safe location.]
As of October 26, CDC reported 40 illnesses under investigation in 8 states, with 21 known hospitalizations. The latest onset of illness is September 24, 2007. This summer was the first time this rare PFGE pattern had been seen in North America.
[E. coli lawyer: If you have been diagnosed with E. coli, an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruononen can be reached toll-free at 1-888-377-8900. Alternatively, please submit the firm's online consultation form for review by an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen.]
As the result of the Topps Meat Company recall investigation, FSIS had delisted Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630, on October 20, 2007. No product from that firm has been eligible to come into the U.S. since that date.
