<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday confirmed that it has found E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in a sample of Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough.</p><p>The contaminated sample was collected at Nestle's facility in Danville, Va. on Thursday, the FDA said in a statement.</p><p>Nestle SA announced a voluntary recall of Toll House refrigerated cookie dough on June 19, saying the FDA had found evidence of E. Coli in a production sample of a refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough bar.</p><p>Nestle's USA's baking division said the recall did not include other Nestle toll house products or any Nestle professional cookie dough products destined for foodservice use.</p><p>The FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month warned consumers not to eat pre-packaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, citing the risk of E. Coli contamination.</p><p>The warning was based on an epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and local health departments, the FDA said.</p><p>As of last Thursday, the CDC reported that 69 people in 29 states had been infected with a strain of E. Coli. Thirty-four people have been hospitalized.</p><p>The FDA said more tests were needed to conclusively link the E. Coli strain found in the cookie dough to the strain that is causing the outbreak.</p><p>E. coli O157:H7 can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible.</p><p>(Reporting by Joanne Allen, editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=53958034&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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