A sample of Toll House refrigerated cookie dough made at a Nestlé USA plant in Virginia has tested positive for E. coli bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday.
The agency is waiting for test results to determine if the E. coli in the cookie dough from the plant in Danville is the same strain that sickened at least 69 people nationwide, the Wall Street Journal reported. The tests are expected to be completed later this week.
The E. coli was found in a sample from a 16-oz. chocolate chip cookie dough bar that had a production date of Feb. 10 and best-use date of June 10. The sample was collected when FDA investigators were inspecting the Danville plant.
"Nestlé continues to work closely and in full cooperation with the FDA on the ongoing investigation," said Laurie MacDonald, vice president of corporate and brand affairs at Nestlé USA, the Journal reported. "We are very concerned about those who have become ill from E. coli 0157:H7, and deeply regret that this has occurred."