A confectioner famously known on Instagram for its beloved cookie dough is in hot water after a class action lawsuit alleged that the not-baked treats cause food-borne illness.
Cookie Dō, with more than 180,000 followers on the social media platform, creates cookie dough from pasteurized egg product and heat-treated flour.
It boast on its website that ‘that means NO chance of food-borne illness or the risk that comes along with eating raw flour products. At last, worry-free treats you can’t get sick from!’
Cookie Dō, with more than 180,000 followers on the social media platform, creates cookie dough from pasteurized egg product and heat-treated flour
Filed in Manhattan federal court, a lawsuit asserts that people do get sick and notes that ‘there’s an aggregate amount in controversy exceeding $5 million’
Filed in Manhattan federal court, the lawsuit asserts that the store does make people sick. While it does not ask for a specific amount, according to Bloomberg Pursuits, it does note that ‘there’s an aggregate amount in controversy exceeding $5 million.’
In a statement released on Friday, the company said it stands ‘behind the safety of our products and our representations about our products. We will fully and faithfully defend ourselves against any and all false accusations.’
The once-upon-a-online-business opened a brick-and-mortar location last year in Greenwich Village, New York.
Plaintiffs Julia Canigiani and Katherine Byrne visited the store where the former ordered a ‘Sandōwich’ and the latter got a scoop of oatmeal M&M cookie dough
After a viral video from Insider racked more than 73 million views on Facebook, the small shop soon found itself having to adjust to block-long lines.
Plaintiffs Julia Canigiani and Katherine Byrne visited the store where the former ordered a ‘Sandōwich’ – an ice cream and cookie dough sandwich which retails for $5 – and the latter got a scoop of oatmeal M&M cookie dough.
According to the complaint ‘within approximately 15 minutes, plaintiff Canigiani began experiencing stomach pains.
According to the complaint ‘within approximately 15 minutes, plaintiff Canigiani began experiencing stomach pains’
Along with the women’s testimony, the suit also cited eight Yelp reviews of people claiming to have health issues after eating at the shop
‘Later that day, she experienced more severe stomach pains and nausea.
Throughout the night, plaintiff suffered from diarrhea. She was unable to eat until the following afternoon.’
Byrne suffered from stomach ache, nausea and heartburn.
The lawsuit claims violations of New York general business law, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment
Along with the women’s testimony, the suit also cited eight Yelp reviews of people claiming to have health issues after eating at the shop.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against eating the popular food item, but confectioners assert that the removal of raw eggs makes the dough safe.
And viral excitement definitely has played a part in the trend of eating questionable treats.
‘Plaintiffs were excited to try the social media buzz worthy products,’ Brittany Weiner, the plaintiff’s attorney, said in an email.
They ‘were obviously disappointed after it failed to meet the marketed representation that one would not get sick.’
The lawsuit claims violations of New York general business law, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.