ph_diseases_conditions

Health SarahMarie Harman SarahMarie Harman smh53@georgetown.edu SarahMarie Harman 06/26/2009 Analysis

When you’re digging into a tub of raw cookie dough with spoon, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing on your mind. But Nestlé USA's recent recall

When you’re digging into a tub of raw cookie dough with a spoon, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing you expect to put in your mouth. But Nestlé USA's recent recall of TOLL HOUSE® brand refrigerated cookie dough products may change that. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed evidence of E. coli 0157:H7 in Nestlé Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. Nestle has recalled the product, which has been linked to 65 cases of E. coli contamination in 29 states. E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and, in severe cases, death. Dr. Kristina Mena, assistant professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health, explained in a phone interview that E.coli is found naturally in the guts of warm-blooded mammals, and that its presence in food is commonly associated with fecal contamination. Janet Riley of the American Meat Institute, said during a phone interview that E. coli can be spread to a cow’s hide through manure and during production, but added that procedures like hide-washing were in place to prevent contamination. Still, the presence of E.coli bacteria in a highly processed food like cookie dough is particularly troubling. “I don’t think the CDC has ever seen this,” said Dr. Mena. Jim Wagner, the director of supply chain food safety & quality for the Steritech Group, a firm that audits restaurant and suppliers for cleanliness, explained that E.coli can also be introduced during processing. Wagner said, “Because humans can also harbor E. coli, if you’re not very vigilant about hand-washing, you can transfer this bacteria to surfaces and food that you touch." The dough recall is not the first time E. coli has been linked to the food supply. In 1993, four children died and hundreds more became ill after eating meat tainted with E.coli at Jack in the Box restaurants. In 2006, E. coli was found in fresh bagged spinach. The contamination thought to have been caused by fecal matter run-off from a nearby pasture. News of the recall comes at a time when concern for food safety is growing. A new IBM study reveals that less than 20 percent of American consumers trust food companies to develop and sell food products that are safe and healthy for themselves and their families. Harumi Gondo hgondo@upi.com SarahMarie Harman 06/26/2009 Analysis

When you’re digging into a tub of raw cookie dough with spoon, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing on your mind. But Nestlé USA's recent recall

When indulging in a tub of raw cookie dough, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing one expects to eat. But Nestlé USA's recent recall of TOLL HOUSE® brand refrigerated cookie dough products may change that. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed evidence of E. coli 0157:H7 in Nestlé Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. Nestle has recalled the product, which has been linked to 65 cases of E. coli contamination in 29 states. E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and, in severe cases, death. Dr. Kristina Mena, assistant professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health, explained in a phone interview that E. coli is found naturally in the guts of warm-blooded mammals, and that its presence in food is commonly associated with fecal contamination. Janet Riley of the American Meat Institute said during a phone interview that E. coli can be spread to a cow’s hide through manure and during production, but procedures like hide-washing were in place to prevent contamination. Still, the presence of E. coli bacteria in a highly processed food like cookie dough is particularly troubling. “I don’t think the CDC has ever seen this,” said Dr. Mena. Jim Wagner, the director of supply chain food safety & quality for the Steritech Group, a firm that audits restaurant and suppliers for cleanliness, explained that E. coli can also be introduced during processing. Wagner said, “Because humans can also harbor E. coli, if you’re not very vigilant about hand-washing, you can transfer this bacteria to surfaces and food that you touch." The dough recall is not the first time E. coli has been linked to the food supply. In 1993, four children died and hundreds more became ill after eating meat tainted with E.coli at Jack in the Box restaurants. In 2006, E. coli was found in fresh bagged spinach. The contamination was thought to have been caused by fecal matter run-off from a nearby pasture. News of the recall comes at a time when concern for food safety is growing. A new IBM study reveals that less than 20 percent of American consumers trust food companies to develop and sell food products that are safe and healthy for themselves and their families. SarahMarie Harman smh53@georgetown.edu SarahMarie Harman 06/26/2009 Analysis

When you’re digging into a tub of raw cookie dough with spoon, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing on your mind. But Nestlé USA's recent recall

When indulging in a tub of raw cookie dough, bovine fecal matter is probably the last thing one expects to eat. But Nestlé USA's recent recall of TOLL HOUSE® brand refrigerated cookie dough products may change that. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed evidence of E. coli 0157:H7 in Nestlé Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. Nestle has recalled the product, which has been linked to 65 cases of E. coli contamination in 29 states. E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure and, in severe cases, death. Dr. Kristina Mena, assistant professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health, explained in a phone interview that strain found in the cookie dough, E. coli O157:H7, is found naturally in the guts of warm-blooded mammals, and that its presence in food is commonly associated with fecal contamination. In 1993, four children died and hundreds more became ill after eating meat tainted with E.coli at Jack in the Box restaurants. In 2006, E. coli was found in fresh bagged spinach. The spinach contamination is believed to have been caused by fecal matter run-off from a nearby pasture. Still, the presence of E. coli bacteria in a highly processed food like cookie dough is particularly troubling. “I don’t think the CDC has ever seen this,” said Dr. Kristina Mena, assistant professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health. Unlike previous cases, in which the source of the contamination could be linked back to direct contact with animal feces, no one is sure how e.Coli made its way into cookie dough. Nestle’s dough does contain traces of egg and milk, and the products carry a label that cautions customers not to eat the product raw. However, the eggs used in the refrigerated cookie dough are pasteurized at a temperature that is sufficient to kill salmonella bacteria, and many consumers people feel safe indulging in raw cookie dough. Janet Riley of the American Meat Institute explained during a phone interview that E., which is found in manure, can be spread from a cow’s hide to the meat during production, but added that procedures like hide-washing were in place to prevent contamination. Jim Wagner, the director of supply chain food safety & quality for the Steritech Group, a firm that audits restaurant and suppliers for cleanliness, explained that E. coli can also be introduced during processing. It is easily spread via the fecal-oral route, meaning that an infected plant employee who does not wash his hands after using the restroom can easily pass the bacteria into the food. Part of what his firm audits are the hand-washing policies and the systems in place for screening out sick employees. News of the recall comes at a time when concern for food safety is growing. A new IBM study reveals that less than 20 percent of American consumers trust food companies to develop and sell food products that are safe and healthy for themselves and their families. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 5000 Americans die every year of food-poisoning, and about 325,000 people require hospitalization. The elderly, young children and those with weak immune systems are most at risk. Update: On June 28, the FDA issued another recall of E. coli -tainted products. At least 23 people were sickened after consuming ground beef tainted with E. coli 0157:H7, the same strain found in the cookie dough. This is not what comes to mind when you think of a tasty afternoon snack. 2009-06-26 07:54:31 UTC 2010-03-11 19:40:45 UTC