Nestle Recall of Toll House Refrigerated Dough

Well this news came as a shock today, especially after tolling the virtues of refrigerated cookie dough on the anniversary of the birth of Toll House Cookie inventor, Ruth Wakefield.

According to the New York Times this morning, Food maker Nestle USA voluntarily recalled its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products after a number of illnesses were reported by those who ate the dough raw. And, let's face it, who hasn't eaten the cookie dough raw? I know it helped me get through some of the more unpleasant times in my life. What a great treat. I actually kept it in the freezer. For me, it was a comfort food. Ben & Jerry's icecream certainly capitalized on America's love of chocolate chip cookie dough. Rest assured, though, they do not use Nestle's Toll House.

Nestle said the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control are investigating reported E. coli illnesses that might be related to the ingestion of raw cookie dough.In a statement, the FDA said there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states since March. About 25 people have been hospitalized, but no one has died.

The FDA advised consumers to throw away any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products in their homes. Retailers, restauranteurs and employees at other food-service operations should also not sell or serve any of the products.

Nestle spokeswoman Roz O'Hearn said "this has been a very quickly moving situation," adding the company took action less than 24 hours after hearing of the problem.

O'Hearn said the company will "cooperate fully" with the FDA's investigation.

The recall includes refrigerated cookie bar dough, cookie dough tub, cookie dough tubes, limited edition cookie dough items, seasonal cookie dough and Ultimates cookie bar dough. It does not affect any other Toll House products.

So make your own chocolate chip cookies this weekend from scratch. For two great recipes for Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores, go here.