How does E. coli end up in Nestle cookie dough?

The usual health concern over consuming raw cookie dough is due to the potential risk of illness from raw eggs tainted with Salmonella, but E. coli is not a common concern. Since it is found in the intestine, E. coli is usually associated with meat products.

At this time, the E. coli strain that sickened 66 people has not been detected in Nestle’s cookie dough. They are recalling the product as a precautionary measure. I used a giant tube of Nestle chocolate chip cookie to make my cookie sandwiches at the end of May. I did not eat the raw dough, but I had extensive contact with it since I hand-shaped numerous cookies from the raw dough. I did not have any problems whatsoever.

So what caused the multistate outbreak of E. coli? Perhaps it was tainted water or animal (pest) activity. We will have to wait and find out. In the meantime, it is yet another reminder about vulnerabilities and hazards in our food supply in general.

The new movie Food, Inc. is rallying people to demand changes in legislation and the food industry. I have not seen Food, Inc. because I already live on a very limited -not necessarily healthy, but limited diet. I am running out of food choices and I think the expose style of this movie may be the final straw for me. I would be reduced to eating wild dandelions. However, I agree with the basic ideals Food, Inc. supports.

Concerns about genetic engineering, cloning, farm worker safety, pesticides and healthy foods are among some of the issues raised in the film. Check out their blog and the petition for changes in school cafeterias.

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