Salmonella outbreak linked to raw cookie dough sickens 18 in 6 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was investigating reports of 18 salmonella infections in six states – California, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Two people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.

Several cases have been linked to Papa Murphy’s raw chocolate chip cookie dough and s’more bar dough that are sold at Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza stores, according to the CDC.

Nine of the ill people said they had eaten Papa Murphy’s raw cookie dough in the week before they became ill. Papa Murphy’s has temporarily stopped selling both types of dough, according to the CDC.

At least two sick people said they had not eaten at Papa Murphy’s. Investigators are working to identify the contaminated ingredient in the cookie dough, the CDC said.

The actual number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and outbreaks may not be limited to states where the illnesses are known. Some people recover without medical attention and are not tested for salmonella, according to the CDC.

Most people infected with salmonella experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, which usually begin between six hours and six days after ingesting the bacteria, according to the CDC.

Anyone with more severe symptoms, including diarrhea and a fever over 102 degrees; diarrhea for more than three days that does not improve; bloody diarrhea; vomiting such that you cannot retain fluids or signs of dehydration – should call their health care provider.

Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days, according to the CDC.

Some may have more serious illness requiring medical treatment or hospitalization, including those with weakened immune systems, children under age 5, and adults 65 and older, the CDC said.

Anyone with Papa Murphy’s chocolate chip cookie dough or s’more bar dough in their freezer or fridge should throw it out, even if they didn’t get sick after eating it, said the CDC.

Objects and surfaces that may have touched the paste should be washed in hot soapy water or in the dishwasher. Papa Murphy’s chocolate chip cookie dough and s’more bar dough are not meant to be eaten raw, according to the CDC.

Most raw cookie doughs are made with unpasteurized eggs or raw flour and can contain germs like salmonella and E. coli, according to the CDC.

There are other cookie dough options that don’t need to be baked because they’re made with heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs or without eggs, which is listed on the label, according to the CDC. .