The Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of all varieties of Nestle® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerator cookie dough.  While no e. coli bacteria have been actually found in the dough, there have been a number of reports of consumers becoming ill after eating the raw dough.

Baking the cookies may not eliminate the risk of contamination because cooks may get bacteria on their hands or on other kitchen surfaces.

Nestle and the FDA emphasize that people should never eat raw cookie dough or other foods that are intended to be baked or cooked before eating.

The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestlé 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. A complete list is available from Nestle. It includes all varieties, not just chocolate chip.

The FDA and CDC are working with Nestle on a study of e. coli illness that may be related to raw cookie dough.  Since March 66 people have reported being sick in 28 different states. Twenty-five persons were hospitalized; 7 with a severe complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). No one has died.

The e. coli strain (E. coli O157:H7)  causes abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be bloody.  Young children and the elderly are at the highest risk of develooing  HUS which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

If you have had these symptoms after eating raw cookie dough, the FDA says to contact your doctor or health care provider right away.  All such illnesses should be reported to local or state health departments.

More information is available from Nestle by calling 1-800-559-5025 or by going to their website. Nestle says that consumers who have recalled cookie dough can return it to the place where they bought it for a full refund.

Note: If you make cookies at home from your own ingredients, be careful about tasting the dough or offering your kids the spoon to lick.  Raw eggs used in cookies may contain salmonella bacteria.  This is not the same bug as the e.coli involved in the Nestle recall, but can be as dangerous for you, your children, or a sick or elderly family members. Kate