Recall alert: Refrigerated and frozen Toll House cookie dough has been recalled by Nestlé because of E. coli contamination.

To make matters worse, it has now emerged that the Danville, Va., plant responsible for the contamination had been non-compliant with FDA inspectors for five years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

For example, an inspector who found dirty equipment and live insects at the plant in September 2006 wanted to access various records as part of an investigation. But the plant would not cooperate.

In fact, Nestlé even presented a list in writing of what they wouldn't allow inspectors to see or do. That listed denied access to the plant's consumer complaint records, pest control records, environmental testing records...and it even banned photography!

The E. coli outbreak is now in 30 states, according to the CDC. This is ugly stuff. Think of the cost to Nestlé of having to recall cookie dough from all across the country. Think of the cost to individuals who have to be hospitalized after getting sick from the cookie dough.

The saddest part of all is that, under current food safety law, the plant did not have to cooperate with food safety inspectors. Wow.

In Clark's estimation, the government needs to overcome the lobbyists and pass new rules that would require food companies to give FDA inspectors access to their records. Period.

Fortunately, no one has died as a direct result from eating the cookie dough. But why should it have to come to that to get some results??